Analysis
In Indiana's competitive math degree landscape, where top programs like Rose-Hulman command $86,000 starting salaries, comparable programs to Purdue Northwest suggest first-year earnings around $59,000βright at the state median and well above the $49,000 national benchmark. With estimated debt of $22,000, the ratio of 0.37 means graduates would owe roughly four-and-a-half months of their first year's salary, a manageable burden that should be payable within a few years of focused repayment.
The challenge here is uncertainty. Because this specific program's outcomes aren't published (likely due to small cohort sizes), these figures come from peer institutions across Indiana. That means your child's actual trajectory could vary considerably based on factors like internship quality, industry connections, and whether they pursue roles in tech, finance, education, or other sectors that value quantitative skills. The $22,000 debt estimate similarly reflects typical borrowing patterns at similar Indiana public universities, not Purdue Northwest's specific aid packages or student demographics.
For a family weighing this investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable valueβdebt that won't be crushing paired with earnings that exceed national norms for math graduates. But given the lack of program-specific data, you'll want to dig deeper: talk to faculty about recent graduate placements, ask about internship pipelines, and compare net price calculators with other Indiana options before committing.
Where Purdue University Northwest Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana
Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (37 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8,419 | $58,764* | β | $22,000* | β | |
| $56,674 | $85,977* | $96,973 | $25,000* | 0.29 | |
| $62,693 | $65,302* | $87,725 | $19,000* | 0.29 | |
| $11,790 | $59,277* | $74,190 | $22,000* | 0.37 | |
| $8,179 | $58,764* | $55,844 | $22,388* | 0.38 | |
| $9,992 | $49,387* | β | $18,820* | 0.38 | |
| National Median | β | $48,772* | β | $21,500* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with mathematics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other
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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 7 similar programs in IN. Actual outcomes may vary.