CUW vs. Purdue Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, WI with Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Purdue University Northwest is larger than CUW based on total student enrollment (9,051 students vs. 5,253 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Concordia University Wisconsin is located in Mequon, WI (Rural Fringe setting); Purdue University Northwest is in Hammond, Indiana (Large Suburban setting).
• Concordia University Wisconsin is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Concordia University Wisconsin 11:1; Purdue University Northwest 17:1.

CUW vs. Purdue Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CUW or Purdue Northwest? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Purdue University Northwest than CUW ($7,916 vs. $31,916).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Northwest are 32.5% lower than at Concordia University Wisconsin ($8,907 vs. $13,200).
• Concordia University Wisconsin is 308.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue Northwest (about $26,795 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $8,675.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 120.4% higher at CUW than at Purdue University Northwest (about $19,376 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $16,094.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Concordia University Wisconsin than at Purdue University Northwest (99% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Wisconsin students is 205.8% larger than aid received by Purdue University Northwest students ($21,379 vs. $6,992).

CUW vs. Purdue Northwest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CUW or Purdue Northwest? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Purdue Northwest and CUW.

• Incoming CUW students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Purdue Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresPurdue University Northwest 890/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Concordia University Wisconsin 20/26; Purdue University Northwest 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CUW - Test optional; Purdue Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purdue Northwest Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman CUW students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Purdue Northwest (3.19).
• CUW has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than Purdue Northwest (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CUW vs. 18.3% at Purdue Northwest.

CUW vs. Purdue Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CUW and Purdue Northwest? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Concordia University Wisconsin's six-year graduation rate is 58%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Purdue Northwest.
• Graduates from Concordia University Wisconsin have median earnings of about $46,100 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Purdue Northwest.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.