Head-to-head · 2026
Indiana University-East vs Purdue University Northwest
Compare average net price ($8,134 at Indiana University-East; $6,079 at Purdue University Northwest), ROI score (14.49 vs 19.87), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($47,156 vs $48,318), and admissions selectivity (67.2% acceptance at Indiana University-East; 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-East | Purdue University Northwest |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 14.49 | 19.87 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $8,134 | $6,079 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $32,536 | $24,316 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $8,424 | $8,675 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $22,811 | $16,094 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $47,156 | $48,318 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 67.2% | 72.4% |
| Graduation rate | 39.6% | 42.9% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 61.8% | 65.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | $18,000 ✓ | $21,229 |
| Enrollment | 2,589 | 5,671 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1061 | 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-East | Purdue University Northwest |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,154 | $1,432 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,454 | $2,428 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $7,100 | $7,026 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $13,260 | $12,452 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $16,067 | $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-East | Purdue University Northwest |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 8.8% | 36.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 16.9% | 5% |
| Psychology, General | 14.6% | 2.4% |
| Mathematics | 11.5% | 0.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 5.7% | 3% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 4.6% | 3.3% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 5.7% | 0.8% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 4.6% | 1.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Purdue University Northwest reports the lower average net price by $2,055 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $8,220 difference over four years ($24,316 vs $32,536).
Purdue University Northwest reports $1,162 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($48,318 vs $47,156). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 61.8% at Indiana University-East and 65.7% at Purdue University Northwest. Median federal debt among completers is $18,000 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-East 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 $8,134 at Indiana University-East. The annual difference of $2,055 adds up to about $8,220 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Purdue University Northwest reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $48,318 vs $47,156 at Indiana University-East. The gap in the federal data is $1,162. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Indiana University-East is more selective at 67.2% acceptance vs 72.4% at Purdue University Northwest.
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.