Head-to-head · 2026
Indiana University-East vs Purdue University-Main Campus
Compare average net price ($8,134 at Indiana University-East; $14,600 at Purdue University-Main Campus), ROI score (14.49 vs 12.40), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($47,156 vs $72,424), and admissions selectivity (67.2% acceptance at Indiana University-East; 49.9% at Purdue University-Main Campus) 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-East | Purdue University-Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 14.49 ✓ | 12.40 |
| Avg net price | $8,134 ✓ | $14,600 |
| 4-year avg net price | $32,536 ✓ | $58,400 |
| In-state tuition | $8,424 | $9,992 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $22,811 | $28,794 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $47,156 | $72,424 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 67.2% | 49.9% |
| Graduation rate | 39.6% | 83.1% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 61.8% | 92.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | $18,000 ✓ | $19,500 |
| Enrollment | 2,589 | 44,503 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1061 | 1364 |
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-East | Purdue University-Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,154 | $5,098 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,454 ✓ | $6,241 |
| Family income $48–75k | $7,100 ✓ | $9,438 |
| Family income $75–110k | $13,260 ✓ | $18,177 |
| Family income $110k+ | $16,067 ✓ | $22,742 |
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-East | Purdue University-Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 16.9% | 6.2% |
| Mathematics | 11.5% | 0.9% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 8.8% | 1.7% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 4.6% | 3.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 5.7% | 0.7% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 4.6% | 0.5% |
| Biology, General | 2.3% | 2% |
| Political Science and Government | 3% | 1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Indiana University-East reports the lower average net price by $6,466 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $25,864 difference over four years ($32,536 vs $58,400).
Purdue University-Main Campus reports $25,268 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($72,424 vs $47,156). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 61.8% at Indiana University-East and 92.7% at Purdue University-Main Campus. Median federal debt among completers is $18,000 vs $19,500, 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.
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Frequently asked
Indiana University-East vs Purdue University-Main Campus, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Indiana University-East is cheaper — average net price $8,134 per year vs $14,600 at Purdue University-Main Campus. The annual difference of $6,466 adds up to about $25,864 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Purdue University-Main Campus reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $72,424 vs $47,156 at Indiana University-East. The gap in the federal data is $25,268. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Purdue University-Main Campus is more selective at 49.9% acceptance vs 67.2% at Indiana University-East.
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.