Chemical Engineering at Purdue University-Main Campus

Purdue's chemical engineering program costs less than you'd expect but earns less than other Indiana options—a tradeoff worth understanding. While these graduates earn $81,105 their first year out (outpacing 87% of chemical engineering programs nationally), that same salary ranks below the median for Indiana, where Notre Dame and Rose-Hulman graduates both clear $82,000+. The $21,500 in debt is reasonable but not exceptional, landing in the 66th percentile nationally.

The practical reality: your child will likely earn strong money right away—well above the $73,000 national median for chemical engineers—but that advantage doesn't grow much. The 5% earnings increase from year one to year four suggests early compensation plateaus rather than accelerates. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27, graduates can realistically pay off loans within months of starting work, which matters more than squeezing out an extra few thousand in starting salary.

For families focused on value, Purdue delivers solid outcomes at a manageable cost. If your child can get into Notre Dame or Rose-Hulman, the slightly higher earnings might justify exploring those options. But Purdue's combination of reasonable debt and strong national standing makes it a safe bet for most families, especially considering its 50% admission rate makes it far more accessible than elite competitors.