Purdue University Northwest vs Fortis College-Indianapolis: 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 $34,726 at Fortis College-Indianapolis. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Purdue University Northwest | Fortis College-Indianapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,079 | $27,706 |
| Total net cost | $24,316 | $110,824 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,318 | $34,726 |
| Median debt | $21,229 | $13,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$25,156 | -$383,504 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Purdue University Northwest or Fortis College-Indianapolis?
Purdue University Northwest, at $6,079 a year after aid versus $27,706 — a gap of $21,627 a year, or $86,508 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 Fortis College-Indianapolis graduates earn more?
Purdue University Northwest graduates report a median $48,318 ten years after entry, $13,592 more than the $34,726 at Fortis College-Indianapolis. 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 Fortis College-Indianapolis?
Fortis College-Indianapolis: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $21,229 at Purdue University Northwest, a difference of $8,229. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
44% of students finish at Fortis College-Indianapolis, against 43% at Purdue University Northwest. 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.