Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Purdue University Northwest
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
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
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Purdue University Northwest graduates compare to all programs nationally
Purdue University Northwest graduates earn $80k, placing them in the 66th percentile of all electrical, electronics and communications engineering bachelors 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)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue University Northwest | $79,917 | — | $26,471 | 0.33 |
| University of Notre Dame | $85,861 | $101,471 | $19,000 | 0.22 |
| Purdue University-Main Campus | $84,300 | $89,141 | $19,000 | 0.23 |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | $80,062 | $89,159 | $26,161 | 0.33 |
| Trine University | $73,923 | $85,111 | $27,000 | 0.37 |
| Valparaiso University | $73,662 | $83,272 | $27,000 | 0.37 |
| National Median | $77,710 | — | $24,989 | 0.32 |
Other Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering Programs in Indiana
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Indiana schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Notre Dame Notre Dame | $62,693 | $85,861 | $19,000 |
| Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette | $9,992 | $84,300 | $19,000 |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute | $56,674 | $80,062 | $26,161 |
| Trine University Angola | $35,600 | $73,923 | $27,000 |
| Valparaiso University Valparaiso | $46,588 | $73,662 | $27,000 |
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.