IU vs. Purdue

Indiana University Bloomington and Purdue University Main Campus side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Indiana University Bloomington
Purdue University Main Campus

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Purdue (49.9% admitted vs 78.2%). Typical SAT 1340 vs 1290.
  • Cheaper after aid: Purdue. Average net price is $13,722 vs $17,270 at IU.
  • Graduation: IU 72% vs Purdue 68%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IU $56,200 vs Purdue $61,200 (median).
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Key differences

Indiana University Bloomington Purdue University Main Campus
Acceptance rate
Purdue more selective
IU78.2%
Purdue49.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Purdue higher
IU1170-1400
Purdue1200-1480
Average net price
Purdue $3,548 less
IU$17,270
Purdue$13,722
In-state tuition
Purdue $2,152 less
IU$12,144
Purdue$9,992
Out-of-state tuition
Purdue $13,097 less
IU$41,891
Purdue$28,794
Graduation rate
IU +4 pts
IU72%
Purdue68%
Median earnings (10 years)
Purdue +$5,000
IU$56,200
Purdue$61,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IU 67,658
  • Purdue 78,745
  • Admitted
  • IU 52,918
  • Purdue 39,272
  • Acceptance rate
  • IU 78.2%
  • Purdue 49.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IU 18.2%
  • Purdue 29.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IU 1290
  • Purdue 1340
  • Typical ACT score
  • IU 30
  • Purdue 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • IU 3.74
  • Purdue 3.67
  • Typical high school grades
  • IU A-
  • Purdue A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IU Very High
  • Purdue Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • IU
  • Purdue Low
  • SAT range
  • IU 1170-1400
  • Purdue 1200-1480
  • ACT range
  • IU 27-33
  • Purdue 27-34
  • Submit test scores
  • IU Test optional
  • Purdue Required
  • Application deadline
  • IU
  • Purdue
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IU $12,144
  • Purdue $9,992
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IU $41,891
  • Purdue $28,794
  • Room & board
  • IU $13,984
  • Purdue $12,820
  • Average net price
  • IU $17,270
  • Purdue $13,722
  • Average grant aid
  • IU $10,487
  • Purdue $11,294
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IU 73%
  • Purdue 40%
  • Graduation rate
  • IU 72%
  • Purdue 68%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IU $56,200
  • Purdue $61,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • IU 72%
  • Purdue 78%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IU $22,500
  • Purdue $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • IU $232
  • Purdue $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IU 18:1
  • Purdue 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • IU
    • Business (21%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Education (7%)
  • Purdue
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Work and Family Studies (6%)
  • Location
  • IU Bloomington, IN
  • Purdue West Lafayette, IN
  • Setting
  • IU Small City
  • Purdue Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • IU 48,424
  • Purdue 58,658
  • Type
  • IU Public 4 Year
  • Purdue Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IU #207
  • Purdue #102

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Bloomington in Bloomington, IN with Purdue University Main Campus in West Lafayette, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Purdue University Main Campus is larger than IU based on total student enrollment (58,658 students vs. 48,424 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Indiana University Bloomington is located in Bloomington, IN (Small City setting); Purdue University Main Campus is in West Lafayette, IN (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Indiana University Bloomington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Bloomington 18:1; Purdue University Main Campus 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Main Campus are 8.3% lower than at Indiana University Bloomington ($12,820 vs. $13,984).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 45.5% higher at IU than at Purdue University Main Campus (about $13,097 more per year; $41,891 vs. $28,794).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana University Bloomington than at Purdue University Main Campus (73% vs. 40%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Purdue University Main Campus students is 7.7% larger than aid received by Indiana University Bloomington students ($11,294 vs. $10,487).

Admissions details

  • Incoming IU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 30) as students at Purdue (30).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at IU, required at Purdue.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IU average a 3.74 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at Purdue (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at IU vs. 29.2% at Purdue.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Purdue University Main Campus graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than IU graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,500).
  • Among borrowers, Purdue graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU graduates ($222 vs. $232).
  • More Purdue graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU students, three years after graduation (78% vs. 72%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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