Purdue University Northwest vs Calumet College of Saint Joseph: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Purdue University Northwest comes closer — median earnings $48,318 against a $24,316 total, vs $46,945 at Calumet College of Saint Joseph. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Purdue University Northwest | Calumet College of Saint Joseph |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,079 | $22,451 |
| Total net cost | $24,316 | $89,804 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,318 | $46,945 |
| Median debt | $21,229 | $21,534 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$25,156 | -$118,104 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Purdue University Northwest or Calumet College of Saint Joseph?
Purdue University Northwest, at $6,079 a year after aid versus $22,451 — a gap of $16,372 a year, or $65,488 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 Northwest or Calumet College of Saint Joseph graduates earn more?
Purdue University Northwest graduates report a median $48,318 ten years after entry, $1,373 more than the $46,945 at Calumet College of Saint Joseph. 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 Northwest or Calumet College of Saint Joseph?
Purdue University Northwest: its completers carry a median $21,229 in federal loans versus $21,534 at Calumet College of Saint Joseph, a difference of $305. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
43% of students finish at Purdue 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.