West Lafayette, IN · Public · 44,503 undergraduates · urban
Purdue University-Main Campus
Moderately selective
Purdue postpones engineering specialization until after a common first-year curriculum while capacity-sensitive programs reward early application.
Institutional profile
Highly regarded Strong in affordability, and strong in academic standing.- Admission
- 50.3% admitted
- Price by income
- Resident and nonresident prices differ
- Completion
- 78.5%
73,083 applicants in the reported year
Compare recent average annual costs by household income
$72,424 median earnings 10 years after enrollment
What sets Purdue University apart
Academic design
All first-year engineering students begin in First-Year Engineering before transitioning into a specific engineering discipline.
Campus pattern
Many Learning Communities connect students through shared courses, residence placement, or both, creating smaller cohorts within the West Lafayette campus.
A signature opportunity
First-Year Engineering.
Can I get in?
50.3% admitted
Engineering, computer science, professional flight, nursing, and veterinary nursing carry November 1 priority because later admission depends on remaining capacity.
Recent applicant pool
73,083About 50 in every 100 applicants were admitted.
Academic range
Of admitted students, 73% submitted an SAT, and 23% submitted an ACT. Submission rates alone do not settle the choice. Submit a score if it strengthens the application.
In the season card
Where your GPA sits in the entering class
The full entering-class GPA distribution for Purdue University, in nine bands from 4.0 down, with your own record marked on it.
See where I landIn the season card
What Purdue University weighs when it reads a file
See how this college describes the role of grades, testing, essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest.
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Test scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurriculars
- Demonstrated interest
What moves the application
The evidence that separates a strong file
Show preparation for this curriculum
All first-year engineering students begin in First-Year Engineering before transitioning into a specific engineering discipline.
Make institutional fit specific
Purdue postpones engineering specialization until after a common first-year curriculum while capacity-sensitive programs reward early application.
Use the application route carefully
Engineering, computer science, professional flight, nursing, and veterinary nursing carry November 1 priority because later admission depends on remaining capacity.
Give commitments a clear through-line
Activities and recommendations should show sustained contribution, not a collection of disconnected credentials.
How to apply
Rounds, route, and required materials
Engineering, computer science, professional flight, nursing, and veterinary nursing carry November 1 priority because later admission depends on remaining capacity.
Fee waiver: accepted
Major and program admission
Some fields have their own entry path.
The college admit rate above covers the university as a whole. These requirements apply only to the named program.
Agriculture and natural resourcesAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
BusinessAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
Communication and journalismAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
Computer scienceAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
Teacher preparationAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
EngineeringAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
Health professionsAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
Hospitality and hotel managementAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
NursingAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
Can I afford it?
Compare annual cost by household income.
Start with the average net price for your income range, then set that estimate beside your other realistic options.
College funding
Scholarships and financial aid
Review available aid, application requirements, and renewal terms.
Purdue University-Main Campus publishes two merit awards, the largest reaching $10,000 to $20,000 a year. All of them renew past the first year.
Open across the university · Merit · Competitive · Renews each year
Open across the university · Merit · Competitive · Renews each year
In the season card
These two awards, by name
What each one is called, what it pays, the grades and scores it asks for, and what to send.
- The name of each award
- What it pays
- The grades and scores it asks for
- How to be considered
- What to send, and where
In the season card
Average annual cost by household income at Purdue University
Compare recent average net prices across five federal income ranges and estimate a 4-year cost for yours.
- $0–30k
- $30–48k
- $48–75k
- $75–110k
- $110k+
Is it worth it?
Completion, debt, and earnings
Read completion, borrowing, field mix, and earnings together. One university-wide earnings figure does not describe every student path.
Degree completion across the reported entering cohort
First-year students who return for year two
And what that comes to against what they earn.
Reported 10 years after enrollment
Academic portfolio
Largest bachelor’s fields
How many students finish in each field, and median earnings four years after completing the program.
Computer Science
Admits separately
Mechanical Engineering
Admits separately
Computer Engineering
Admits separately
Research and Experimental Psychology
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Admits separately
What is campus life like?
Purdue University beyond the classroom
Many Learning Communities connect students through shared courses, residence placement, or both, creating smaller cohorts within the West Lafayette campus.
A defining academic feature
All first-year engineering students begin in First-Year Engineering before transitioning into a specific engineering discipline.
Read the residential pattern
Compare the residential setup and surrounding area with the day-to-day routine you want.
Daily life follows the campus map
Dining and nearby options matter most when they support the academic, residential, and social routine you expect.
What shapes an ordinary week
Many Learning Communities connect students through shared courses, residence placement, or both, creating smaller cohorts within the West Lafayette campus.
Turn a direction into participation
The strongest opportunities connect a clear academic or personal direction to real work beyond class.
Find the right everyday fit
Many Learning Communities connect students through shared courses, residence placement, or both, creating smaller cohorts within the West Lafayette campus.