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Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN
Purdue University is a public research university located in West Lafayette, Indiana. Established in 1869, it is one of the largest and most prestigious universities in the United States. Known for its cutting-edge research programs, technological advancements, and strong academic offerings, Purdue is renowned for its engineering, agriculture, business, and science programs.
One of Purdue's strengths lies in its engineering programs, consistently ranked among the top in the nation. Students benefit from access to state-of-the-art facilities and research centers, collaborating with renowned faculty experts in various engineering disciplines. The university is also home to Purdue Research Foundation, supporting innovative research and fostering entrepreneurship, resulting in numerous patents and successful startup companies.
Moreover, Purdue offers a diverse range of academic programs across its 10 colleges, ensuring students have ample opportunities to pursue their passions. With a student population from all 50 states and over 130 countries, the university provides a dynamic and inclusive environment for learning and growth. Beyond academics, Purdue boasts a vibrant campus life, with hundreds of student organizations, athletic events, and cultural activities, creating a well-rounded collegiate experience.
Located in West Lafayette, IN and set in a suburban environment, Purdue University is a public university. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 50%. The six-year graduation rate at Purdue University is 84%.
Read more about what Purdue University has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
39,170
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
50%
Acceptance Rate
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
84%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to increase your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission. What are the admission requirements for Purdue University?
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 36,602 in 2024. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
73% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 24% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 36.64% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 40% between 1,200 and 1,399, 20.14% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 3% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 61, 31 between 24-29, 8 in the range between 18-23, and 1 between 12-17.
The average ACT score for all the accepted students in 2024 was 29 and the average GPA was 3.8. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance, and the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 639 for the enrolled first-year students, while the average SAT Math score was 664. The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 84%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the right fit for you is not an easy task. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Purdue University in 2024 was 52,211.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 48.3% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 39,170, 4018 of which were foreign students. The school reported to have a total of 905 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 25,392 male and 18,758 female full-time students in 2024. 3,909 full-time graduate men and 2,960 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 5,525, while the number of Black American students was 1,014. 2,846 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 2,034 identified with more than one race. The school also had 16 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 33 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 611 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you send an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Purdue University estimated tuition costs.
Tuition fees for area resident were $9,208, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $28,010 in 2024. Tuition costs at Purdue University for international students stood at $30,010. Full-time students in 2024 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $784.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $28,010 | $784 | $28,794 |
| In-State | $9,208 | $784 | $9,992 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to consider is the estimated 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 $1,160.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
At Purdue University, the 2024 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $10,030. If you only needed a dorm room, you had to pay $4,860 for the 2024 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $6,810.
| Tuition | $ 9,208 |
| Room and Board | $ 10,030 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,160 |
| Total Expense | $ 20,398 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial help for students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at Purdue University.
The most recent records show that 2,972 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $13,589.42 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
8,743 students obtained some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Purdue University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 10,705. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $27,845,797, and state $22,395,379. The students of Purdue University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $55,203,863, and external in the amount of $5,650,341.
$5,224
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-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.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 1,370 students overall (including freshmen) at Purdue University in 2024. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 514 full-time freshmen. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $32,011,152. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $10,539,524 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)
-
Undergraduate Admission Fall
Undergraduate Admission Fall
ApplyStart Year: 2025
Start Term: Fall
Application Deadline: 2025-07-27
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Undergraduate Admission Summer
Undergraduate Admission Summer
ApplyStart Year: 2025
Start Term: Summer
Application Deadline: 2025-06-20
Majors
Faculty
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2024, this ratio at Purdue University was 14:1. That means that there were 14 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 2,974. Out of that number, there were 1,792 male and 1,182 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Purdue University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some info about social life at Purdue University.
Its campus is 2,468 acres in size.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
According to the most recent information, there are 915 open-membership organizations at Purdue University. This number includes sororities and fraternities. 15 percent of male and 19 of female students are active in different organizations at Purdue University. The student organization with the highest level of popularity is HTM Society, followed by Purdue Grand Prix and Purdue Student Union Board. Other popular student organizations at this school are Purdue Paint Crew and Purdue Dance Marathon.
Those interested in music can join the Purdue University band or chorus. For those drawn to acting, there is a drama club where you can participate. You have a passion for media and communication? Purdue University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Purdue University, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. 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 Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Purdue University.
All in all, campus life at Purdue University 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.
Career Counselling
At Purdue University, 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. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Knowing what salary you can expect once you have completed your studies can help you decide if a certain school matches your career goals.
Students who find employment within six months of graduating can expect an average base annual starting salary of 62,452 USD.
$62,452
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Purdue University is located in West Lafayette, IN.
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Purdue University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Purdue University is 50%.
Contact Information
Purdue University-Main Campus,
475 Stadium Drive
West Lafayette, IN
47907
765 494-4600
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.