Purdue University Northwest (7,964 students on campus) is inside the city. About 6% of Hammond’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Indiana (6%).
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Hammond. Colleges are described, not graded.
Within 15 miles
14
44,576 students on campus
Nearest college
2.7 mi
Purdue University Northwest
Residents in college
6%
About the same as IN (6%)
Nearest community college
143.7 mi
Ivy Tech · $5,154 tuition
Nearest public university
2.7 mi
Purdue University Northwest · $8,675 in-state
Median household income
$56K
prices below start here
What stands out about college in Hammond
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What it costs
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.
Family income
Starts at $48–75k, where Hammond’s median household income ($55,504) falls.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Outcomes
Do students finish, and does it pay?
Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Hammond: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
University of Chicago96% graduate$92k earnings$15k typical debt
Purdue University Northwest43% graduate$48k earnings$21k typical debt
Saint Xavier University57% graduate$59k earnings$22k typical debt
South Suburban College28% graduate$34k earnings
Prairie State College21% graduate$37k earnings$11k typical debt
City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College21% graduate$31k earnings$8k typical debt
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College31% graduate$28k earnings$6k typical debt
Chicago State University15% graduate$43k earnings$31k typical debt
Calumet College of Saint Joseph23% graduate$47k earnings$22k typical debt
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.
Majors
What students study in Hammond
Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Purdue University Northwest, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing482 graduates a year
$89k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods58 graduates a year
$49k4 yrs out
Biology, General57 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
Psychology, General54 graduates a year
$42k4 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services52 graduates a year
$69k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations43 graduates a year
$57k4 yrs out
Communication and Media Studies42 graduates a year
$49k4 yrs out
Marketing37 graduates a year
$63k4 yrs out
College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.
Questions about college in Hammond
Is Hammond a college town?
No. About 6 of every 100 Hammond residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Indiana (6). The largest campus in the city, Purdue University Northwest, has 7,964 students on campus.
What colleges are in Hammond?
Purdue University Northwest is inside the city. Ivy Tech Community College is 143.7 miles away in Indianapolis.
What is the closest community college to Hammond, and what does it cost?
Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, 143.7 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,154 a year for Indiana residents; the federal net price, $7,258, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Purdue University Northwest cost if we live in Indiana?
Tuition and fees are $8,675 a year in-state and $16,094 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $1,432 (under $30,000 income) to $13,645 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Hammond. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →
Photo: HammondMan · CC BY-SA 4.0