Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana · Public · 49.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 91/100 · Exceptional Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Purdue University-Main Campus scores 91 (Exceptional Value) on the CampusROI scale. The combination that drives this rating: $49,000 average 6-year earnings, a 5.3-year payback period, an 83.1% completion rate, and a median debt of only $19,500 against in-state tuition of $9,992 and a $14,600 net price. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.398 is clean for a university of this research profile. Repayment rate of 85.8% at three years confirms graduates are managing obligations. Purdue's STEM-heavy program mix is the primary earnings driver: Computer Science (560 graduates, $94,786 year one, $146,685 at four years) is exceptional in both volume and outcomes; Electrical Engineering (174 graduates, $84,300 year one), Mechanical Engineering (478 graduates, $80,374 year one), Aerospace Engineering (314 graduates, $71,989 year one), and Industrial Engineering (269 graduates, $81,379 year one) all post A or B+-grade ROIs. The cross-program average of $49,000 is pulled down by large humanities and sciences cohorts - agriculture, biology, psychology - where near-term earnings are lower. For in-state families selecting engineering or CS programs, Purdue's ROI is difficult to challenge.
Purdue University-Main Campus scores in the top 5% of the schools we score, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
Purdue University-Main Campus
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $9,992/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $28,794/yr |
| Average net price | $14,600/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $58,400 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $72,424 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $49,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $207 |
| Estimated payback period | 5.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 83.1% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 44,503 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $9,992/year ($28,794/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $14,600/year, or roughly $58,400 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $5,098/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $22,742/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $19,500, which works out to about $207 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($49,000) and comes to 0.40, which in our view is comfortably manageable.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,098 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,241 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,438 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,177 |
| $110,001+ | $22,742 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $5,098 per year at Purdue - an exceptional net price for a flagship research university. Over four years that is roughly $20,400. At $49,000 average earnings and a 5.3-year payback at the institutional level, Purdue has, in our view, a strong value case for low-income students admitted to technical programs. The 13.0% Pell rate reflects that low-income students are underrepresented, but those who are admitted and gain this net price face an extraordinary ROI.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $9,438 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $18,177. Middle-income families pay more than lower-income families but still achieve exceptional value for engineering and CS programs.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $22,742 per year in-state - roughly $91,000 over four years. At a 5.3-year payback period and $49,000 average earnings - with CS and engineering graduates earning $80,000-$95,000 year one - the full-pay in-state case is strong. Out-of-state families paying $28,794 tuition and a higher total cost should still find favorable value for high-demand programs, though the calculus tightens for lower-earning fields.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Purdue University-Main Campus with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $146,685 | A |
| Mechanical Engineering | $102,572 | A |
| Computer Engineering | $121,462 | B+ |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $52,170 | C |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $97,332 | B+ |
| Biology | $58,225 | C+ |
| Industrial Engineering | $107,031 | A |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $86,891 | B+ |
| Finance and Financial Management | $85,924 | B |
| Statistics | $104,047 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
Computer Science (560 graduates) is Purdue's flagship outcome: $94,786 year one, $146,685 at four years, A-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.204, median debt $19,375). At 560 graduates, this is not a boutique program - it is a major CS pipeline into Silicon Valley, Chicago tech, and national employers. The four-year trajectory to $146,685 at $19,375 median debt represents payback in under two years of working.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering (478 graduates) earns $80,374 year one and $102,572 at four years - A-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.248, median debt $19,937). Aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing sectors nationwide recruit Purdue ME graduates. At $19,937 median debt and $80,374 year-one earnings, the payback period is under three years for ME graduates.
Industrial Engineering
Industrial Engineering (269 graduates) earns $81,379 year one and $107,031 at four years - A-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.239, median debt $19,427). IE is Purdue's most versatile engineering degree, producing graduates who enter consulting, manufacturing, supply chain, and technology management. The four-year figure of $107,031 reflects career advancement into senior roles. The ROI metrics are comparable to CS despite lower absolute year-one earnings.
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Aerospace Engineering (314 graduates) earns $71,989 year one and $97,332 at four years - B+-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.299, median debt $21,500). Purdue aerospace has notable alumni in NASA and major defense contractors. Year-one earnings reflect early-career aerospace roles that progress steadily. The B+ grade (rather than A) reflects the moderately higher debt and lower year-one earnings relative to software engineering - not a weak outcome in absolute terms.
Accounting
Accounting (106 graduates) earns $63,021 year one and $90,119 at four years - B+-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.309, median debt $19,500). Purdue's Krannert School of Management sends accounting graduates into Big Four firms, corporate accounting, and financial services. The four-year figure of $90,119 reflects CPA and senior associate progression.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 82.2% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 85.8% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 83.0% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 85.8% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Purdue University-Main Campus’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 49.9% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 600-760 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 600-720 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 27-34 |
| Enrollment | 44,503 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 13.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $14,473 |
At 49.9%, Purdue is moderately selective. The SAT 600-760 Math range and ACT 27-34 composite reflect the technical orientation of the applicant pool, particularly for competitive engineering programs. Engineering programs (CS, EE, ME) are more selective than the institutional average and require higher preparation levels.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue University-Main Campus (this school) | 91 | $14,600 | $72,424 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 93 | $14,355 | $81,054 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | 91 | $17,354 | $73,792 |
| California State University-Long Beach | 86 | $10,440 | $64,403 |
| Ball State University | 54 | $14,940 | $51,833 |
| Purdue University Fort Wayne | 35 | $13,171 | $45,872 |
Head-to-Head ROI Comparisons
See Purdue University-Main Campus side by side with similar schools on ROI, cost, earnings, and debt.
Who Thrives Here
Purdue admits 49.9% of applicants - moderately selective with SAT mid-ranges of 600-760 Math and 600-720 Reading, ACT composite 27-34. Enrollment of 44,503 is very large. Pell rate of 13.0% reflects a predominantly middle-to-upper-income student body. Purdue's culture is engineering-forward; the institution's identity is deeply tied to applied science, agriculture, and technology. Students who thrive at a large research university with a STEM emphasis find exceptional resources. Students seeking small-class liberal arts environments should look elsewhere. Out-of-state tuition of $28,794 significantly changes the ROI calculus for non-Indiana residents.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
If you're asking whether Purdue University-Main Campus is worth it, the short answer is yes - it's one of the strongest money decisions in higher education. Four years here run about $58,400 after aid, and the typical graduate earns $72,424 ten years out. That earnings head start covers the cost in roughly 5.3 years, well ahead of most schools.
What it has going for it: a strong earnings premium over high school graduates, its 83.1% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $19,500 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $49,000 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
Purdue University-Main Campus: Common Questions
Is Purdue University-Main Campus worth it?
In our view, yes - for most students Purdue University-Main Campus pays off. It scores 91/100 on our ROI scale. You'd pay about $14,600 a year after aid ($58,400 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $72,424 ten years after enrollment, so the cost takes roughly 5.3 years to earn back.
How much does Purdue University-Main Campus cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $14,600 a year, or roughly $58,400 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Purdue University-Main Campus graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $72,424 ten years after enrolling, roughly $30,624 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Purdue University-Main Campus?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 5.3 years for Purdue University-Main Campus. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Purdue University-Main Campus graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $19,500, against average earnings of $49,000 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at Purdue University-Main Campus?
The six-year graduation rate is 83.1%, at or above the 64% national average for four-year schools (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.