Purdue University Northwest
Below average. Ask hard questions before enrolling. It ranks 1,119 of 1,755 four-year colleges on student outcomes, with an overall score of 41 out of 100.
These three answers are rules of thumb from the numbers below, not advice for any one student or major.
What do students really think?
You have seen the federal numbers for Purdue University Northwest. Now hear from people who went there, or add your own experience. Anonymous, no account.
Would you choose it again? That is the first question the rating form asks.
Why it is good
- Affordable: the average student pays about $6,223 a year after grants, cheaper than 97% of four-year colleges.
Why it is bad
- Only 51% of students graduate. 69% of four-year colleges do better.
- Many students leave early: only 66% of first-year students return for a second year.
The numbers
What these figures measure
Graduation rate: share of all students, full-time or part-time, who finish within 8 years. Return for year 2: share of first-time, full-time students who come back for a second year. Earnings: median pay about 10 years after starting, for students who received federal aid. Debt: median federal loan debt among those who finish. Net price: average yearly cost after grants and scholarships. All from the U.S. Education Department College Scorecard, institution file dated November 2, 2026.
Programs and early earnings
Bachelor's degrees: largest programs
| Field | Graduates a year | Earnings, 2 yrs after | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 482 | $65,123 | $18,106 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 58 | $38,289 | $23,760 |
| Biology, General | 57 | $25,194 | $18,500 |
| Psychology, General | 54 | $26,264 | $21,400 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 52 | $36,848 | $21,058 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 43 | $39,214 | $17,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 42 | $23,166 | $21,316 |
| Marketing | 37 | n/a | $19,250 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 34 | n/a | $20,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 32 | $62,260 | $23,786 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 32 | n/a | $17,213 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 32 | n/a | $17,989 |
Certificates and diplomas: largest programs
| Field | Graduates a year | Earnings, 2 yrs after | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 5 | n/a | n/a |
Earnings are the median pay two years after completing, for graduates who were working and not enrolled again. The federal government hides figures for small programs, shown as n/a. Fields are broad groups, so a college may offer several majors inside one.
Students and reviews
Numbers cannot tell you about teaching, dorms or campus life. Read and write anonymous student reviews for Purdue University Northwest, or ask and answer questions about it. Other sources:
Compare with other colleges Estimate your cost
The grade reflects outcomes for the average student compared with other four-year colleges. Individual majors can be much better or worse.