Head-to-head · 2026
Purdue University-Main Campus vs Purdue University Northwest
Compare average net price ($14,600 at Purdue University-Main Campus; $6,079 at Purdue University Northwest), ROI score (12.40 vs 19.87), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($72,424 vs $48,318), and admissions selectivity (49.9% acceptance at Purdue University-Main Campus; 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 | Purdue University-Main Campus | Purdue University Northwest |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.40 | 19.87 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $14,600 | $6,079 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $58,400 | $24,316 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $9,992 | $8,675 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $28,794 | $16,094 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $72,424 ✓ | $48,318 |
| Acceptance rate | 49.9% | 72.4% |
| Graduation rate | 83.1% ✓ | 42.9% |
| Retention rate | 92.7% ✓ | 65.7% |
| Median debt | $19,500 ✓ | $21,229 |
| Enrollment | 44,503 | 5,671 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1364 | 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 | Purdue University-Main Campus | Purdue University Northwest |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,098 | $1,432 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,241 | $2,428 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,438 | $7,026 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,177 | $12,452 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $22,742 | $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 | Purdue University-Main Campus | Purdue University Northwest |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 1.7% | 36.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 6.2% | 5% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 4.9% | 3.5% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 3.3% | 3.3% |
| Computer Science | 4% | 1.6% |
| Biology, General | 2% | 3.1% |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 2.9% | 2.1% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 2.8% | 1.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Purdue University Northwest reports the lower average net price by $8,521 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $34,084 difference over four years ($24,316 vs $58,400).
Purdue University-Main Campus reports $24,106 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($72,424 vs $48,318). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 92.7% at Purdue University-Main Campus and 65.7% at Purdue University Northwest. Median federal debt among completers is $19,500 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
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Frequently asked
Purdue University-Main Campus 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 $14,600 at Purdue University-Main Campus. The annual difference of $8,521 adds up to about $34,084 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 $48,318 at Purdue University Northwest. The gap in the federal data is $24,106. 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 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.