Purdue University Northwest vs University of Notre Dame
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Purdue University Northwest Hammond, IN | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Poor return | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | -23% | +299% |
| 10-year net gain | $-7,202 | $340,666 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $47,485 | $90,471 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $41,994 | $72,664 |
| Average net price | $6,079 | $26,780 |
| Median debt | $21,229 | $19,000 |
| Break-even | 12.9 yrs | 2.5 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 43% | 95% |
| Admission rate | 72% | 11% |
Purdue University Northwest
Poor return
$-7,202 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
University of Notre Dame
Strong return
+$340,666 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.