Purdue University Fort Wayne vs Calumet College of Saint Joseph: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Purdue University Fort Wayne comes closer — median earnings $45,872 against a $52,684 total, vs $46,945 at Calumet College of Saint Joseph. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Purdue University Fort Wayne | Calumet College of Saint Joseph |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,171 | $22,451 |
| Total net cost | $52,684 | $89,804 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,872 | $46,945 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $21,534 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$102,444 | -$118,104 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Purdue University Fort Wayne or Calumet College of Saint Joseph?
Purdue University Fort Wayne, at $13,171 a year after aid versus $22,451 — a gap of $9,280 a year, or $37,120 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Purdue University Fort Wayne or Calumet College of Saint Joseph graduates earn more?
Calumet College of Saint Joseph graduates report a median $46,945 ten years after entry, $1,073 more than the $45,872 at Purdue University Fort Wayne. 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, Purdue University Fort Wayne or Calumet College of Saint Joseph?
Purdue University Fort Wayne: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $21,534 at Calumet College of Saint Joseph, a difference of $34. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
36% of students finish at Purdue University Fort Wayne, 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.