Indiana University-South Bend (IU SB) vs Purdue University Northwest (PNWU)

Indiana University-South Bend (IUSB) and Purdue University Northwest (PNW) stand as two distinct beacons of higher education in Northwest Indiana, each offering unique opportunities for students to pursue their academic aspirations. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. This side-by-side comparison delves into these differences, providing prospective students with valuable insights to help them make informed decisions about their educational journey. Whether you're drawn to IUSB's liberal arts focus or PNW's emphasis on STEM disciplines, this comprehensive analysis will guide you towards the institution that best aligns with your academic goals and personal preferences.
Indiana University-South Bend logo

Indiana University-South Bend

Purdue University Northwest logo

Purdue University Northwest

Overview

Location South Bend, Indiana Hammond, Indiana
Campus setting City: Midsize Suburb: Large
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 54.0% 60.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 88.9% 76.4%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $35

Graduate: $40
Undergraduate: $25

Graduate: $60
SAT range 980 - 1190 990 - 1190
ACT range 18 - 24 19 - 26
Students submitting SAT score 25.0% 38.0%
Students submitting ACT score 5.0% 8.0%
Total number of applicants 2,270 3,642
Total number of admissions given out 2,019 2,781
Admitted students who chose to enroll 697 1,067
Yield rate 34.5% 38.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Not required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $21,979

Out of state: $35,086
In state: $22,356

Out of state: $29,247
Average net price $8,189 $8,472
Tuition
In state: $7,170

Out of state: $20,277
In state: $7,268

Out of state: $14,159
Room & board $9,996
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

82.0%
Average amount $6,505
61.0%
Average amount $7,048
Students receiving federal student loan 33.0%
Average amount $4,590
34.0%
Average amount $4,744
Students taking out private loans 1.0%
Average amount $11,426
2.0%
Average amount $8,768

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 3,865
Men 35.3% Women 64.7%
8,044
Men 41.6% Women 58.4%
Graduate students 584
Men 27.2% Women 72.8%
750
Men 34.5% Women 65.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 3.0% 8.9%
International students 2.7% 3.0%
Campus local/setting City: Midsize Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity 386 744
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Indiana Michigan Illinois Missouri Georgia Indiana Illinois Michigan Ohio Alabama

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Liberal Arts
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Engineering Technologies
  • Engineering
  • Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio 12:1 15:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 37.9% 40.3%
Dropout rate 35.9% 54.6%
Transferred out 22.4% N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $95,590
  • Year 2: $81,997
  • Year 3: $86,745
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,424
  • Year 2: $54,174
  • Year 3: $60,024
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $49,778
  • Year 2: $50,606
  • Year 3: $55,645
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,824
  • Year 2: $48,198
  • Year 3: $48,545
Social Work (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,775
  • Year 2: $43,319
  • Year 3: $47,607
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,539
  • Year 2: $41,711
  • Year 3: $45,562
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $34,818
  • Year 2: $37,424
  • Year 3: $39,129
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,810
  • Year 2: $37,856
  • Year 3: $37,394
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $30,230
  • Year 2: $31,265
  • Year 3: $35,033
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $33,440
  • Year 2: $29,685
  • Year 3: $34,869
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,613
  • Year 2: $86,867
  • Year 3: $95,054
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,723
  • Year 2: $72,796
  • Year 3: $83,022
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $67,660
  • Year 3: $74,625
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,537
  • Year 2: $62,260
  • Year 3: $73,252
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $66,599
  • Year 2: $65,123
  • Year 3: $66,736
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,724
  • Year 2: $58,221
  • Year 3: $65,341
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,367
  • Year 2: $36,848
  • Year 3: $51,672
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,277
  • Year 2: $39,214
  • Year 3: $49,646
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,212
  • Year 2: $33,565
  • Year 3: $44,921
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,032
  • Year 2: $30,554
  • Year 3: $41,841

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