Indiana University-Northwest vs Calumet College of Saint Joseph: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Calumet College of Saint Joseph comes closer — median earnings $46,945 against a $89,804 total, vs $43,361 at Indiana University-Northwest. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Indiana University-Northwest | Calumet College of Saint Joseph |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,130 | $22,451 |
| Total net cost | $20,520 | $89,804 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $43,361 | $46,945 |
| Median debt | $21,710 | $21,534 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$120,500 | -$118,104 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Indiana University-Northwest or Calumet College of Saint Joseph?
Indiana University-Northwest, at $5,130 a year after aid versus $22,451 — a gap of $17,321 a year, or $69,284 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Indiana University-Northwest or Calumet College of Saint Joseph graduates earn more?
Calumet College of Saint Joseph graduates report a median $46,945 ten years after entry, $3,584 more than the $43,361 at Indiana University-Northwest. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Indiana University-Northwest or Calumet College of Saint Joseph?
Calumet College of Saint Joseph: its completers carry a median $21,534 in federal loans versus $21,710 at Indiana University-Northwest, a difference of $176. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
37% of students finish at Indiana University-Northwest, against 23% at Calumet College of Saint Joseph. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.