Purdue University Fort Wayne
Purdue University Fort Wayne — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Purdue University Fort Wayne at a Glance
Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) is a public university in Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States. A campus of Purdue University, Purdue Fort Wayne was founded on July 1, 2018, when its predecessor university, Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne formally split into two separate institutions: Purdue University Fort Wayne and Indiana University Fort Wayne.
2018
8 years old
7,206
6,489 undergrad · 717 grad
787
688 acres
Identity
Is Purdue University Fort Wayne Worth It?
At a value score of 30/100, Purdue University Fort Wayne is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $45,872 — 15% below average — while paying $13,171/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 34% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Purdue University Fort Wayne has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Purdue University Fort Wayne compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in IN
Ranked #141 of 181 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #4 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #5 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #6 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #141 | Purdue University Fort Wayne | 30 | $13,171 | $45,872 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Purdue University Fort Wayne's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in IN.
Best Programs at Purdue University Fort Wayne
The highest-earning program at Purdue University Fort Wayne is Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians at $60,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $20,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians graduate from Purdue University Fort Wayne earns $60,400, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $20,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians graduates carry $26,147 in median debt vs. $25,000 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,171/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $60,400 | $60,400 | $26,147 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $51,000 | $51,000 | $27,180 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $51,000 | $51,000 | $27,542 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $43,800 | $43,800 | $23,027 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $41,800 | $41,800 | $22,179 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,500 | $38,500 | $22,625 |
| Public Administration | $34,600 | $34,600 | $25,780 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,300 | $34,300 | $23,531 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $33,500 | $33,500 | $25,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $33,500 | $33,500 | $28,250 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $30,900 | $30,900 | $23,557 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $28,700 | $28,700 | $29,000 |
| Psychology, General | $28,000 | $28,000 | $22,220 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $25,900 | $25,900 | $24,523 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $20,800 | $20,800 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in IN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Student Body
- 5,484 students
- Admission Rate
- 84%
- Graduation Rate
- 34%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,171
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,872
- Median Student Debt
- $21,500