Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Purdue University Northwest
Bachelor's Degree
pnw.eduAnalysis
Purdue Northwest graduates in electrical engineering earn nearly $80,000 right out of school—outperforming both the national median ($77,710) and Indiana's state median ($73,923) for this field. Among Indiana's 12 engineering programs, this ranks solidly in the 60th percentile, placing it behind flagship Purdue and Notre Dame but ahead of several private competitors. For a regional campus with a 71% acceptance rate, these outcomes punch above weight.
The debt picture strengthens the case: $26,471 is manageable for an engineering degree, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.33. That means graduates owe roughly four months' salary—well within the comfort zone for STEM careers. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests consistent placement rather than a few outliers driving the numbers.
Parents weighing the $10,000+ annual savings versus attending Purdue's main campus in West Lafayette should note the earnings gap is only about $4,400 in year one. For students who prefer staying closer to the Chicago metro area or need the lower total cost of attendance, Purdue Northwest delivers legitimate engineering credentials without the debt burden that can accompany private alternatives. This is a solid, financially rational choice for Indiana families.
Where Purdue University Northwest Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all electrical, electronics and communications engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Purdue University Northwest graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (12 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Purdue University NorthwestHammond | $8,419 | $79,917 | — | $26,471 | 0.33 |
 University of Notre DameNotre Dame | $62,693 | $85,861 | $101,471 | $19,000 | 0.22 |
 Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette | $9,992 | $84,300 | $89,141 | $19,000 | 0.23 |
 Rose-Hulman Institute of TechnologyTerre Haute | $56,674 | $80,062 | $89,159 | $26,161 | 0.33 |
 Trine UniversityAngola | $35,600 | $73,923 | $85,111 | $27,000 | 0.37 |
 Valparaiso UniversityValparaiso | $46,588 | $73,662 | $83,272 | $27,000 | 0.37 |
| National Median | — | $77,710 | — | $24,989 | 0.32 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with electrical, electronics and communications engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Computer Hardware Engineers
Aerospace Engineers
Electrical Engineers
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Engineers, All Other
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
Mechatronics Engineers
Microsystems Engineers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Purdue University Northwest, approximately 28% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 37 graduates with reported earnings and 32 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.