Purdue University Global 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 $36,596 at Purdue University Global. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Purdue University Global | Calumet College of Saint Joseph |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,770 | $22,451 |
| Total net cost | $31,080 | $89,804 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,596 | $46,945 |
| Median debt | $26,078 | $21,534 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$266,360 | -$118,104 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Purdue University Global or Calumet College of Saint Joseph?
Purdue University Global, at $7,770 a year after aid versus $22,451 — a gap of $14,681 a year, or $58,724 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 Global or Calumet College of Saint Joseph graduates earn more?
Calumet College of Saint Joseph graduates report a median $46,945 ten years after entry, $10,349 more than the $36,596 at Purdue University Global. 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 Global or Calumet College of Saint Joseph?
Calumet College of Saint Joseph: its completers carry a median $21,534 in federal loans versus $26,078 at Purdue University Global, a difference of $4,544. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
50% of students finish at Purdue University Global, 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.