Head-to-head · 2026
Indiana University-South Bend vs Purdue University Northwest
Compare average net price ($8,653 at Indiana University-South Bend; $6,079 at Purdue University Northwest), ROI score (12.99 vs 19.87), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($44,947 vs $48,318), and admissions selectivity (83.8% acceptance at Indiana University-South Bend; 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-South Bend | Purdue University Northwest |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.99 | 19.87 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $8,653 | $6,079 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $34,612 | $24,316 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $8,424 | $8,675 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $22,811 | $16,094 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $44,947 | $48,318 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 83.8% | 72.4% |
| Graduation rate | 40.1% | 42.9% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 65.1% | 65.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | $21,355 | $21,229 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 3,933 | 5,671 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1081 | 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-South Bend | Purdue University Northwest |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,637 | $1,432 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,926 | $2,428 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,195 | $7,026 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $13,968 | $12,452 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $15,825 | $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-South Bend | Purdue University Northwest |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 11.2% | 36.7% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 4.6% | 3% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 5.9% | 1.4% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 5.6% | 1.6% |
| Psychology, General | 3.9% | 2.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 1.3% | 5% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 2.9% | 3.3% |
| Biology, General | 2% | 3.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Purdue University Northwest reports the lower average net price by $2,574 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $10,296 difference over four years ($24,316 vs $34,612).
Purdue University Northwest reports $3,371 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($48,318 vs $44,947). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 65.1% at Indiana University-South Bend and 65.7% at Purdue University Northwest. Median federal debt among completers is $21,355 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.
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Frequently asked
Indiana University-South Bend 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 $8,653 at Indiana University-South Bend. The annual difference of $2,574 adds up to about $10,296 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Purdue University Northwest reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $48,318 vs $44,947 at Indiana University-South Bend. The gap in the federal data is $3,371. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Purdue University Northwest is more selective at 72.4% acceptance vs 83.8% at Indiana University-South Bend.
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.