Head-to-head · 2026
Indiana University-Bloomington vs Purdue University Northwest
Compare average net price ($16,264 at Indiana University-Bloomington; $6,079 at Purdue University Northwest), ROI score (9.80 vs 19.87), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($63,742 vs $48,318), and admissions selectivity (78.2% acceptance at Indiana University-Bloomington; 72.4% at Purdue University Northwest) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Indiana University-Bloomington | Purdue University Northwest |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.80 | 19.87 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $16,264 | $6,079 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $65,056 | $24,316 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $12,144 | $8,675 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $41,891 | $16,094 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $63,742 ✓ | $48,318 |
| Acceptance rate | 78.2% | 72.4% |
| Graduation rate | 80.2% ✓ | 42.9% |
| Retention rate | 91.1% ✓ | 65.7% |
| Median debt | $19,509 ✓ | $21,229 |
| Enrollment | 37,806 | 5,671 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1313 | 1024 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Indiana University-Bloomington | Purdue University Northwest |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,324 | $1,432 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,610 | $2,428 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,154 | $7,026 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $20,204 | $12,452 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $25,128 | $13,645 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Indiana University-Bloomington | Purdue University Northwest |
|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies | 4.1% | 3.3% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 4.1% | 1.8% |
| Biology, General | 2% | 3.1% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 0% | 5% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 1.7% | 3% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 0.9% | 3.1% |
| Computer Science | 1.8% | 1.6% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 1.7% | 1.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Purdue University Northwest reports the lower average net price by $10,185 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $40,740 difference over four years ($24,316 vs $65,056).
Indiana University-Bloomington reports $15,424 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($63,742 vs $48,318). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 91.1% at Indiana University-Bloomington and 65.7% at Purdue University Northwest. Median federal debt among completers is $19,509 vs $21,229, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Indiana University-Bloomington vs Purdue University Northwest, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Purdue University Northwest is cheaper — average net price $6,079 per year vs $16,264 at Indiana University-Bloomington. The annual difference of $10,185 adds up to about $40,740 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Indiana University-Bloomington reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $63,742 vs $48,318 at Purdue University Northwest. The gap in the federal data is $15,424. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Purdue University Northwest is more selective at 72.4% acceptance vs 78.2% at Indiana University-Bloomington.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.