IPFW vs. TU

Comparable Facts

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

Towson University is larger than IPFW based on total student enrollment (19,401 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); Towson University is in Towson, MD (Small City setting).
• Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Purdue University Fort Wayne 13:1; Towson University 14:1.

IPFW vs. TU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IPFW or TU? 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 TU ($14,735 vs. $16,653).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Fort Wayne are 28.2% lower than at Towson University ($11,669 vs. $16,260).
• Towson University is 23% more expensive for in-state tuition than IPFW (about $2,196 more per year; $11,728.00 vs. $9,532.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.3% higher at TU than at Purdue University Fort Wayne (about $6,933 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $22,887.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Purdue University Fort Wayne than at Towson University (95% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 65.7% larger than aid received by Purdue University Fort Wayne students ($11,820 vs. $7,135).

IPFW vs. TU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Purdue University Fort Wayne (1100) is 10 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming IPFW students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at TU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Purdue University Fort Wayne 970/1220; Towson University 950/1235.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Purdue University Fort Wayne 22/29; Towson University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IPFW - Test optional; TU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IPFW Aug 1, 2027; TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at IPFW (3.37).
• IPFW has a higher acceptance rate (83.9%) than TU (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at IPFW vs. 18.2% at TU.

IPFW vs. TU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IPFW and TU? 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).

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Purdue University Fort Wayne's (26%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than IPFW graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $6,750 lower median loan debt than IPFW graduates ($17,750 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IPFW graduates ($183 vs. $253).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IPFW students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.