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Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · City · 44,503 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 1 · Early Action · in 30 days
Checked Sep 2026 · admissions.purdue.edu
$14,600
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
83%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$72,424
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
50%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Renowned as a premier public research institution and a global STEM powerhouse, Purdue University is celebrated for its top-ranked College of Engineering, leading computer science and aviation programs, and the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business. Historically known as the "Cradle of Astronauts" for educating alumni like Neil Armstrong, the university distinguishes itself through cutting-edge research facilities and a long-standing commitment to affordability via a multi-year tuition freeze. Campus life is marked by deep-rooted Big Ten athletic pride, spirited traditions like the annual Purdue Grand Prix, and a collaborative student community with more than 1,000 active clubs and organizations.

Location
West Lafayette, IN, 47907-2040 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
IND · Indianapolis
59 mi away
Open in Google MapsView official campus map
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$9,992$28,794
Housing & food (on campus)$12,820$12,820
Books & supplies$1,070$1,070
Cost of attendance$24,591$43,393 est.
Average net price$14,600Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$28,794
In-state: $9,992
Housing & food (on campus)$12,820
Books & supplies$1,070
Cost of attendance$43,393 est.
In-state: $24,591
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $14,600
est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$5,098
$30–48k
$6,241
$48–75k
$9,438
$75–110k
$18,177
$110k+
$22,742
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
83%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
65%
Back for yr 2
93%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
84% graduated · 10% transferred · 5% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$60,838
10 yrs after entry$72,424
Debt
Median at graduation$19,500
Monthly payment$207
Middle 50% owe$7.5k–$26.6k
90th percentile$31,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs, $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
50%
Test policy
Required
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1364
R 600–720 · M 600–760
ACT midpoint
30
Comp 27–34 · E 26–35 · M 26–34
SAT middle 50%: 1200–1480
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Action
Nov 1 2026
in 30 days · If possible, submit your…
Not binding: apply early, hear early, and you can still apply elsewhere.
Checked Sep 2026 · admissions.purdue.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts

If Purdue University-Main Campus asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 59%Women 41%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
14 : 1
Pell grant
13%
First-gen
19%
Family income
$81,833
Independent
4%
Veterans
0%
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
6%
Race & ethnicity
White
54%
Hispanic
8%
Black
3%
Asian
15%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
10%
Unknown
6%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FBS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$60,838
After 10 yrs
$72,424
Computer Science560
Mechanical Engineering478
Computer Engineering319
Research and Experimental Psychology318
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering314
Biology, General290
Industrial Engineering269
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians265
Finance and Financial Management Services224
Statistics205
Computer Software and Media Applications181
Civil Engineering180
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering174
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods170
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing162
Computer and Information Sciences, General148
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$4.0B
Full-time faculty
96%
Faculty salary
$14,473/mo
Teaching spend
$20,511
per student
Federal loans
22%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R1 — very high research
$932M research spending · 833 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

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