How should I compare Tulane and Purdue for college return on investment?

Start with a four-year net-price comparison, not sticker tuition. Add tuition, housing, fees, likely annual cost increases, travel, and any costs your family will cover, then subtract grants and scholarships that are guaranteed to renew. Treat loans separately: a school that costs more but requires substantially more borrowing has to deliver a clearly stronger career advantage to justify the difference.

Compare outcomes within your intended major rather than comparing the universities as a whole. Examine each school’s career reports for your department: internship participation, employers, graduate-school placement, and the kinds of entry-level roles graduates obtain. A paid co-op or recurring internship can materially improve ROI.

Finally, calculate a realistic payoff: estimate your likely first job options, expected borrowing at graduation, and how quickly that debt could be repaid while still allowing for savings. Do not assume Tulane’s private-school name alone guarantees higher earnings; the value difference depends far more on your net cost, major, and use of internships and recruiting resources.