IPFW vs. St. Mary's College

Comparable Facts

Compare Purdue University Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, IN with Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Purdue University Fort Wayne is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (7,206 students vs. 1,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Purdue University Fort Wayne is located in Fort Wayne, IN (Large City setting); Saint Mary's College is in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Purdue University Fort Wayne 13:1; Saint Mary's College 9:1.

IPFW vs. St. Mary's College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IPFW or St. Mary's College? 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 St. Mary's College ($14,735 vs. $27,865).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Fort Wayne are 18.2% lower than at Saint Mary's College ($11,669 vs. $14,260).
• Saint Mary's College is 458.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than IPFW (about $43,698 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $9,532.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 132.6% higher at St. Mary's College than at Purdue University Fort Wayne (about $30,343 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $22,887.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College than at Purdue University Fort Wayne (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 443.1% larger than aid received by Purdue University Fort Wayne students ($38,748 vs. $7,135).

IPFW vs. St. Mary's College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IPFW or St. Mary's College? 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 St. Mary's College and IPFW.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College (1230) is 130 points higher than at IPFW (1100).
• Incoming St. Mary's College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at IPFW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Purdue University Fort Wayne 970/1220; Saint Mary's College 1130/1325.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Purdue University Fort Wayne 22/29; Saint Mary's College 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IPFW - Test optional; St. Mary's College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IPFW Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at IPFW (3.37).
• IPFW has a higher acceptance rate (83.9%) than St. Mary's College (76%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at IPFW vs. 20.1% at St. Mary's College.

IPFW vs. St. Mary's College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IPFW and St. Mary's College? 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).

• Saint Mary's College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Purdue University Fort Wayne's (26%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than IPFW graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Purdue University Fort Wayne graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's College graduates ($24,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, IPFW graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's College graduates ($253 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IPFW students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.