Ivy Tech Community College vs Purdue University-Main Campus
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN | Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Poor return | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | -170% | +418% |
| 10-year net gain | $-31,325 | $273,754 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $43,710 | $78,926 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $37,804 | $62,580 |
| Average net price | $7,258 | $14,600 |
| Median debt | $10,727 | $19,500 |
| Break-even | — | 1.9 yrs |
| Graduation rate | — | 83% |
| Admission rate | — | 50% |
Ivy Tech Community College
Poor return
$-31,325 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
Purdue University-Main Campus
Strong return
+$273,754 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.