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Purdue University Northwest

Hammond, IN·Public·5,786 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families who need the lowest possible cost. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 5,786 students.

71%
Accept
5,786
Students
$8,463
Net Price
44%
Grad Rate
$43,000
Earnings
10 yr
$13,031
Debt

About This School

Purdue University Northwest is a public institution located in Hammond, Indiana with approximately 5,786 undergraduate students enrolled. Purdue University Northwest has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 71%. The average net price after financial aid is $8,463 per year. The graduation rate is 44%, and the typical graduate earns $43,000 within 10 years of enrollment.

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is a public university with two campuses in Northwest Indiana; its main campus is in Hammond with a branch campus in Westville. It is part of the Purdue University system and offers more than 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to approximately 6,200 students with more than 64,000 alumni.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: at just $8,463/year average net price and $13,031 median debt at graduation, this school is genuinely affordable, making it a reasonable choice for cost-conscious students in the Northwest Indiana region. However, the 44% graduation rate is a real concern — fewer than half of students who start here finish, which is worth taking seriously before committing. Worth considering if you're a local commuter student with a clear plan and financial constraints, but come in with a strategy to stay on track.

Founded
1946
Setting
Large suburb

Popular Programs

Health Professions38%
Business & Marketing16%
Engineering7%
Computer Science6%
Education4%
Biological Sciences4%
Psychology4%
Communications3%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1034
Reading 75th %ile570
Math 75th %ile570

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite23

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$8,419
Out-of-State Tuition
$15,620
Avg Net Price
$8,463
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants28%
Median debt at graduation$13,031

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
44%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
68%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$43,000
after enrollment
Median Debt
$13,031
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$13,031
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$35,700
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$43,000
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 3.3x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White52%
Black11%
Hispanic/Latino26%
Asian3%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (5,786 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Purdue University Northwest

2200 169th Street

Hammond, IN 46323

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Indiana

Browse all Indiana schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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