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Hammond , IN
Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is a public university located in Hammond, Indiana, with additional campuses in Westville and Michigan City. Established in 2016 through a merger between Purdue University Calumet and Purdue University North Central, PNW offers a diverse range of programs across multiple disciplines. The university prides itself on providing a high-quality, affordable education to its students, combined with a strong commitment to engagement, innovation, and social responsibility.
PNW offers over 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its Colleges of Business, Engineering and Sciences, Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, and Nursing. The university is known for its strong focus on experiential learning, providing students with unique opportunities to gain real-world experience and develop the skills necessary for their future careers. From internships and co-op experiences to research projects and community service, PNW ensures that students are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities they will face after graduation.
As part of the greater Purdue University system, PNW benefits from the reputation and resources of a world-class institution. The faculty at PNW are highly qualified and dedicated to the success of their students, often serving as mentors and advisors. The university also offers a wide range of student services and support, including academic counseling, career guidance, and various extracurricular activities. With its commitment to academic excellence, practical application of knowledge, and fostering a vibrant campus community, Purdue University Northwest is a leading educational institution in the region and beyond.
Located in Hammond, IN, Purdue University Northwest is a public university. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 72%. The freshman retention rate at Purdue University Northwest is 66% and the six-year graduation rate is 43%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is August 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is July 1.
Discover more about what you can expect if you get into Purdue University Northwest.
Quick Facts
5,698
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
19:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
43%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to maximize your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission. Here are the most essential information you should know about admission policy and requirements at Purdue University Northwest.
In 2025, the school accepted 6,245 new students. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.3. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by August 1. If you are applying for a transfer, note that the application deadline is July 1.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Purdue University Northwest was 66%.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 43%.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better understanding of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Purdue University Northwest in 2025 was 6,548.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 15% for that year. There was a total of 5,698 undergrad students, including 239 international students. The school reported to have a total of 356 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 2,491 male and 2,546 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 186, and the number of Black American students was 654. 1,531 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 207 as multirace. The school also had 3 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 7 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 108 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to think about before you apply. Here are some important data on Purdue University Northwest costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $8,675. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $19,339. If you are an international student at Purdue University Northwest, you should know that the 2025 tuition amounted to $12,118. Full-time students in 2025 were mandated to pay additional fees in the amount of $850.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $19,339 | $850 | $20,189 |
| In-State | $7,825 | $850 | $8,675 |
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to consider is the approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $608.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
At Purdue University Northwest, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $8,907.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 7,825 |
| Room and Board | $ 8,907 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 608 |
| Total Expense | $ 17,340 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial support: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Purdue University Northwest, here are some recent data you should consider.
According to the most recent data, 672 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $36,631 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 1,954 students who attained need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 2,653. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $12,443,503, and state $8,076,297.
$6,769
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
1,425 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 497 full-time freshmen. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $5,955,700. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $2,046,555 USD.
Majors
Faculty
19:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2025, this ratio at Purdue University Northwest was 19:1. That means that there were 19 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 407 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 204 men and 203 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Purdue University Northwest is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at Purdue University Northwest.
Its campus spans 737 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists only of current students and/or alumni.
There are 103 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. That includes sororities and fraternities. 33 percent of male and 59 of female students participate in different organizations at Purdue University Northwest. The student organization that has the biggest membership is Fine Arts Club, followed by Indian Student Association at Purdue Northwest and Spanish Club. Other popular student organizations at this school are Psychology Club and Construction Club.
If you are interested in music, you can join the Purdue University Northwest band. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For students interested in media and communication, Purdue University Northwest publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Purdue University Northwest, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Purdue University Northwest.
All in all, campus life at Purdue University Northwest is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Purdue University Northwest.
Career Counselling
At Purdue University Northwest, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Acquiring information about the potential income after graduation can help you decide if a specific school is the right one for your career aspirations.
Within six months of graduation, this school's students can expect an average base annual starting salary of 64,468 USD.
$64,468
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Purdue University Northwest is located in Hammond, IN.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Purdue University Northwest is 72%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Purdue University Northwest is 66%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
