EIU vs. Purdue Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL 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 EIU based on total student enrollment (9,051 students vs. 8,505 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); Purdue University Northwest is in Hammond, Indiana (Large Suburban setting).
• Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; Purdue University Northwest 17:1.

EIU vs. Purdue Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU 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 EIU ($7,916 vs. $13,787).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Northwest are 27.5% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($8,907 vs. $12,282).
• Eastern Illinois University is 57.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue Northwest (about $5,004 more per year; $13,679.00 vs. $8,675.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at EIU than at Purdue University Northwest (about $123 more per year; $16,217.00 vs. $16,094.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than at Purdue University Northwest (95% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 85.4% larger than aid received by Purdue University Northwest students ($12,960 vs. $6,992).

EIU vs. Purdue Northwest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU or Purdue Northwest? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Purdue Northwest and EIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Purdue University Northwest (1020) is 30 points higher than at EIU (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090; Purdue University Northwest 890/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPurdue University Northwest 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; Purdue Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purdue Northwest Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Purdue Northwest (3.19).
• Purdue Northwest has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 18.3% at Purdue Northwest.

EIU vs. Purdue Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU and Purdue Northwest? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

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.