College ROI

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Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN 5,484 Undergrads 39.0% Grad Rate
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Total Cost
$22,183
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$13,171
After Aid
Median Earnings
$56,455
4yr Post-Grad

Vs. Peer Institutions

Net Price$13,171
Peer Midpoint: $20,081
Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)Completers only after graduation
$56,455
Peer Midpoint: $60,428
Earnings (10yr Post-Enroll)All enrolled after enrollment
$45,872
Peer Midpoint: $53,763
Graduation Rate39.0%
Peer Midpoint: 58.9%
Warning: The majority of students at this institution do not graduate. Non-completers typically earn significantly less and face higher debt risks.
Average Starting Age21.7
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients36.0%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time85.6%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS72.5%

Admissions Profile

Acceptance
83.9%
SAT Avg
1,100
SAT Reading
25th: 49055575th: 610
SAT Math
25th: 48055075th: 610
ACT Composite
25th: 222375th: 29

ROI Sensitivity Analysis
Assuming 4 Years to Graduation

This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.

Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$507k
+$40k
+$23k
Median Cost$13k/yr
+$460k
-$7k
-$25k
Full Cost$22k/yr
+$427k
-$40k
-$57k

ROI Efficiency Metrics
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.

Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
45
∞
Median Cost$13k/yr
Never
-52%
Full Cost$22k/yr
Never
-72%
Analysis Assumptions:
  • Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).⚠️ Warning: The high average starting age or low completion rate may inflate the Median earnings and ROI shown.
  • Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
  • Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
  • NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.

Social Impact ROINew
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.

Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.

Donor Return-28%

Gov. Pell Grant ROINew
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.

Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.

Taxpayer Return-54%
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Program ROI Analysis
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.

Certificates

Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,589
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biology, General
CertCIP: 2601
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $52,278
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $47,440
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $60,097
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Chemistry
CertCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,784
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,984
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $33,673
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $29,202
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $52,001
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Gerontology
CertCIP: 3011
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$51,839
Natl Median: $48,636
Lifetime Value Added
+$99k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $57,294
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $103,583
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $61,618
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Physics
CertCIP: 4008
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $78,502
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $72,399
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,511
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Associate's Degrees

Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,767
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $48,733
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Chemistry
AssocCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $51,597
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $64,519
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,246
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$57,689
Natl Median: $61,982
Lifetime Value Added
+$87k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $38,127
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1503
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $67,792
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
History
AssocCIP: 5401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $38,929
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,425
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $73,593
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$73,342
Natl Median: $64,773
Lifetime Value Added
+$242k

Bachelor's Degrees

Median Debt
$26,000
Earnings (4yr)
$70,428
Natl Median: $70,786
Lifetime Value Added
+$85k
Anthropology
BachCIP: 4502
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $46,676
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biology, General
BachCIP: 2601
Median Debt
$18,000
Earnings (4yr)
$50,366
Natl Median: $57,214
Lifetime Value Added
-$75k
Median Debt
$23,000
Earnings (4yr)
$60,816
Natl Median: $68,257
Lifetime Value Added
+$10k
Median Debt
$20,003
Earnings (4yr)
$63,627
Natl Median: $68,407
Lifetime Value Added
+$33k
Chemistry
BachCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,120
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Civil Engineering
BachCIP: 1408
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$50,856
Natl Median: $86,517
Lifetime Value Added
-$54k
Median Debt
$22,068
Earnings (4yr)
$46,619
Natl Median: $56,359
Lifetime Value Added
-$107k
Median Debt
$17,340
Earnings (4yr)
$47,614
Natl Median: $58,928
Lifetime Value Added
-$98k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$69,013
Natl Median: $92,374
Lifetime Value Added
+$74k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $83,742
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $109,015
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Science
BachCIP: 1107
Median Debt
$25,500
Earnings (4yr)
$101,396
Natl Median: $107,009
Lifetime Value Added
+$322k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$73,576
Natl Median: $85,063
Lifetime Value Added
+$109k
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
BachCIP: 1510
Median Debt
$21,784
Earnings (4yr)
$72,564
Natl Median: $93,843
Lifetime Value Added
+$102k
Median Debt
$19,500
Earnings (4yr)
$46,046
Natl Median: $55,378
Lifetime Value Added
-$112k
Median Debt
$22,313
Earnings (4yr)
$57,814
Natl Median: $68,061
Lifetime Value Added
-$14k
Median Debt
$24,750
Earnings (4yr)
$44,227
Natl Median: $51,490
Lifetime Value Added
-$127k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $39,775
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Economics
BachCIP: 4506
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $82,686
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$21,500
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $100,647
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians
BachCIP: 1503
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$85,325
Natl Median: $84,599
Lifetime Value Added
+$186k
Median Debt
$15,986
Earnings (4yr)
$38,113
Natl Median: $48,590
Lifetime Value Added
-$179k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $51,710
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$22,806
Earnings (4yr)
$37,718
Natl Median: $41,367
Lifetime Value Added
-$183k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $60,190
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
History
BachCIP: 5401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,680
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$21,932
Earnings (4yr)
$44,909
Natl Median: $56,726
Lifetime Value Added
-$121k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $68,069
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $80,890
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (4yr)
$44,299
Natl Median: $53,072
Lifetime Value Added
-$126k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,984
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $86,176
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mathematics
BachCIP: 2701
Median Debt
$16,500
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,562
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$81,259
Natl Median: $82,073
Lifetime Value Added
+$168k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$85,075
Natl Median: $92,135
Lifetime Value Added
+$197k
Median Debt
$22,303
Earnings (4yr)
$42,133
Natl Median: $52,119
Lifetime Value Added
-$145k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,532
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Music
BachCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$38,682
Natl Median: $42,892
Lifetime Value Added
-$175k
Philosophy
BachCIP: 3801
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,455
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Physics
BachCIP: 4008
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $76,786
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $63,293
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Psychology, General
BachCIP: 4201
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$49,582
Natl Median: $50,706
Lifetime Value Added
-$82k
Median Debt
$20,375
Earnings (4yr)
$53,257
Natl Median: $65,093
Lifetime Value Added
-$51k
Median Debt
$24,772
Earnings (4yr)
$74,918
Natl Median: $88,910
Lifetime Value Added
+$120k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,792
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$17,488
Earnings (4yr)
$44,533
Natl Median: $55,695
Lifetime Value Added
-$124k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,000
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Sociology
BachCIP: 4511
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $52,657
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$22,828
Earnings (4yr)
$45,525
Natl Median: $47,382
Lifetime Value Added
-$116k
Median Debt
$28,371
Earnings (4yr)
$46,723
Natl Median: $51,389
Lifetime Value Added
-$106k

Master's Degrees

Biology, General
MastCIP: 2601
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,830
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $103,485
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$19,974
Earnings (4yr)
$113,001
Natl Median: $125,988
Lifetime Value Added
+$330k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $71,953
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Science
MastCIP: 1107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $145,571
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$83,291
Natl Median: $71,685
Lifetime Value Added
+$70k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $125,651
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $120,215
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,512
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mathematics
MastCIP: 2701
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $72,654
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $81,408
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$50,646
Earnings (4yr)
$122,581
Natl Median: $120,193
Lifetime Value Added
+$413k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $64,397
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$49,043
Earnings (4yr)
$60,385
Natl Median: $60,111
Lifetime Value Added
-$133k

Graduate Certificates

Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $94,506
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Public Administration
Gr-CertCIP: 4404
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $78,022
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,147
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Other Programs

Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $60,047
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.

For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate decision moving forward. Note that the institution's average undergraduate net price is used as a proxy for annual cost, which may differ from actual graduate tuition. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.

Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.