A PNW student in a food pantry shirt stands outdoors

About PNW

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is a student-centered university in Northwest Indiana that transforms lives through innovative education, impactful research and community engagement

Why PNW?

Dynamic, hardworking, and innovative, Purdue University Northwest is where academic excellence meets real-world experience. Small classes and supportive professors will help you build the skills and connections you need to thrive in areas of study from nursing to computer science.

Find Your Right Fit

A map of the Midwestern United States, with the Chicago region and northwestern Indiana highlighted. PNW's campuses in Hammond and Westville, Indiana are prominent along Interstates 90/94. The top left corner reads "Regional Strength, Global Reach".

At PNW, we value academic excellence, support growth and celebrate diversity. Our two campuses serve approximately 8,700 undergraduate and graduate students. Core enrollment—the number of students attending classes on PNW campuses—is 6,049 students.

Our Hammond campus is only 30 miles from Chicago and our Westville branch campus is only 15 miles from the Indiana Dunes National Park. Our two campuses foster a community full of contrasts: urban and rural, industrial and natural, well-established history and forward-thinking innovation. Our determined students — many of whom are the first in their families to attend college — make the most of this rich range of resources.

A Hispanic-Serving Institution, PNW has an impact that extends well beyond the region. Students from 30 states and 50 countries currently attend PNW, taking what they learn here and applying it all around the world.

Read About Our Diverse Metropolitan University

PNW's Undergraduates

– 96% Full-Time Freshman

– Over 56% First Gen

– 25.8% Hispanic or Latino

– Nearly 11% Black or African American

– Nearly 4% Multiracial

– Nearly 3% Asian

Our faculty and staff are focused on excellence in teaching, passionate about helping students succeed and dedicated to serving the communities in our metropolitan region.

PNW Chancellor Chris Holford

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A PNW student works on a laptop

High-Quality Education for the Real World

PNW offers more than 70 areas of study for undergraduate and graduate students. We’re consistently recognized among the best regional universities in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings.

Our emphasis on research and applied learning opportunities means our students graduate ready for the next phase of their lives.

Accreditation

Purdue University Northwest is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Power Onward at PNW

Purdue University Northwest is continually changing lives with its focus on students, research and community. 

PNW students talk near a lion sculpture in front of the Nils K. Nelson Bioscience Innovation Building

PNW Named Among 2025 Best Midwest Universities by U.S. News & World Report

Purdue University Northwest was ranked as a top public regional university in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 annual Best Colleges rankings while also being recognized for student social mobility.

Read The Story

A PNW student works on an electric bike

Our Mission

Purdue University Northwest is a diverse, student-centered university that transforms lives and serves our region through innovative education, impactful research and community engagement.

See the Full Strategic Plan

Learn More About Us

A PNW student drives a dune buggy on campus

Getting to Purdue Northwest

VISIT US

Scenic settings just minutes from the highway, PNW’s two campuses in Hammond and Westville are easily accessible.

The first students walk into the Education Building (now Schwarz Hall), 1967

History

70+ YEARS OF PRIDE

We’ve only been the PNW Pride since 2016, but our students have been making us proud since both campuses opened in the 1940s.

PNW Chancellor Holford

Leadership

GUARDING PNW’S FUTURE

Meet Chancellor Chris Holford and the university’s senior leadership team, and learn about PNW’s strategic plan.

PNW Lion Statue

PNW Economic Impact

Purdue University Northwest helps power our region. Our impact includes $745.9 million of total income: 2 percent of gross regional product.

PNW News Highlights

Angela Perez

PNW master’s student named to Conexus Indiana’s Rising 30 Class of 2025

Angela Perez, BS ’21, and current graduate student at Purdue University Northwest (PNW), was named to the Conexus Indiana Rising 30 Class of 2025. She was recognized for her significant contribution to the advanced manufacturing and logistics industry.

A lion statue on the PNW Westville campus

Purdue University Northwest students earn spring 2025 Dean’s List honors

The Purdue University Northwest (PNW) 2025 spring semester Dean’s List recognizes 1,746 undergraduate students for their academic achievements.

Three students sit around a table in the PNW Mane Zone

PNW’s academic quality reaffirmed through completed accreditation assurance review

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) earned approval of its 2025 Assurance Review submitted to the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the institution’s regional accreditor, verifying the university’s commitment to serving students with high-quality resources and efforts supporting institution-wide improvement.

PNW Event Highlights

Jul 09

Admitted Student Day (Westville Campus)

We are so excited to invite all newly admitted and current students to our upcoming Admitted Student Day on the Westville Campus!

Jul 11

Acorn Concert Series: Rocks Off (Rolling Stones Tribute)

Immerse yourself in the timeless magic of the Rolling Stones with Rocks Off, a revitalizing tribute band at the 2025 Acorn Concert Series!

Jul 14

Third 4-week Classes Begin

Third 4-week Summer Session classes run July 14 to August 8.

Jul 16

Admitted Student Day (Hammond Campus)

We are so excited to invite all newly admitted and current students to our upcoming Admitted Student Day on the Hammond Campus!