Purdue University Global
Purdue University Global — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Purdue University Global at a Glance
Purdue University Global, Inc. is a public online university that is a separately accredited part of the Purdue University system. Its primary focus is educating working adults.
2018
8 years old
45,125
33,192 undergrad · 10,735 grad
3,600
Is Purdue University Global Worth It?
Purdue University Global offers moderate value at $7,770/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $36,596, which is 32% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 49% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $26,078 representing 71% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
How Purdue University Global compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #14 of 33 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 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #2 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #3 | Santa Monica College | 100 | $2,779 | $42,193 |
| #4 | St Petersburg College | 100 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
| #5 | Dallas College | 100 | $3,214 | $41,714 |
| #6 | South Texas College | 100 | $1,751 | $36,788 |
| #14 | Purdue University Global | 58 | $7,770 | $36,596 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Purdue University Global's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Purdue University Global
The highest-earning program at Purdue University Global is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $71,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at $24,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Purdue University Global earns $71,200, while a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate earns $24,100. 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: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $36,613 for Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $7,770/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $71,200 | $71,200 | $25,000 |
| Fire Protection | $68,600 | $68,600 | $37,499 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $49,300 | $49,300 | $40,145 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,000 | $44,000 | $39,875 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $39,700 | $39,700 | $38,197 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $38,000 | $38,000 | $32,416 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $35,300 | $35,300 | $34,375 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $33,900 | $33,900 | $31,240 |
| Legal Support Services | $31,900 | $31,900 | $35,500 |
| Human Services, General | $29,900 | $29,900 | $35,375 |
| Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) | $29,500 | $29,500 | $39,583 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $28,900 | $28,900 | $33,332 |
| Psychology, General | $27,900 | $27,900 | $37,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $24,100 | $24,100 | $36,613 |
Similar Colleges in IN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- West Lafayette, IN
- Student Body
- 30,828 students
- Graduation Rate
- 49%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $7,770
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $36,596
- Median Student Debt
- $26,078