Purdue University-Main Campus vs Wabash College: which has better ROI?
Purdue University-Main Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $58,400 in 2.4 years versus 4.5 years at Wabash College, on median earnings of $72,424 vs $69,952 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Purdue University-Main Campus | Wabash College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,600 | $24,336 |
| Total net cost | $58,400 | $97,344 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $72,424 | $69,952 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 2.4 yrs | 4.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $422,880 | $334,496 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Purdue University-Main Campus or Wabash College?
Purdue University-Main Campus, at $14,600 a year after aid versus $24,336 — a gap of $9,736 a year, or $38,944 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-Main Campus or Wabash College graduates earn more?
Purdue University-Main Campus graduates report a median $72,424 ten years after entry, $2,472 more than the $69,952 at Wabash College. 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-Main Campus or Wabash College?
Purdue University-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Wabash College, a difference of $7,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
83% of students finish at Purdue University-Main Campus, against 77% at Wabash College. 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.