IPFW vs. IU

Comparable Facts

Compare Purdue University Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, IN with Indiana University Bloomington in Bloomington, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University Bloomington is larger than IPFW based on total student enrollment (48,424 students vs. 7,206 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Purdue University Fort Wayne is located in Fort Wayne, IN (Large City setting); Indiana University Bloomington is in Bloomington, IN (Small City setting).
• Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Bloomington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Purdue University Fort Wayne 13:1; Indiana University Bloomington 18:1.

IPFW vs. IU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IPFW or IU? 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 Fort Wayne than IU ($14,735 vs. $17,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Fort Wayne are 16.6% lower than at Indiana University Bloomington ($11,669 vs. $13,984).
• Indiana University Bloomington is 27.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than IPFW (about $2,612 more per year; $12,144.00 vs. $9,532.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83% higher at IU than at Purdue University Fort Wayne (about $19,004 more per year; $41,891.00 vs. $22,887.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Purdue University Fort Wayne than at Indiana University Bloomington (95% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana University Bloomington students is 47% larger than aid received by Purdue University Fort Wayne students ($10,487 vs. $7,135).

IPFW vs. IU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IPFW or IU? 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 IU and IPFW.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Bloomington (1290) is 190 points higher than at IPFW (1100).
• Incoming IU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at IPFW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Purdue University Fort Wayne 970/1220; Indiana University Bloomington 1170/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Purdue University Fort Wayne 22/29; Indiana University Bloomington 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IPFW - Test optional; IU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IPFW Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IU students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at IPFW (3.37).
• IPFW has a higher acceptance rate (83.9%) than IU (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at IPFW vs. 18.2% at IU.

IPFW vs. IU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IPFW and IU? 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).

• Indiana University Bloomington's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Purdue University Fort Wayne's (26%).
• Graduates from Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of about $17,600 more per year than IPFW graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Bloomington graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than IPFW graduates ($22,500 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, IU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IPFW graduates ($232 vs. $253).
• More IU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IPFW students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 51%)

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.