Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | West Lafayette, Indiana |
| Online | purdue.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Midsize Suburban |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Purdue University's main campus spans over 2,500 acres in West Lafayette, Indiana, located approximately 65 miles northwest of Indianapolis. Founded in 1869 as a land-grant institution, the campus features a mix of classic red brick and limestone buildings alongside modern research facilities, with many structures exemplifying the Tudor Gothic architectural style. The university maintains a strong focus on engineering, technology, and agriculture, with its engineering and aviation programs consistently ranking among the nation's leading institutions. Purdue houses most first-year students in its residence hall system, which includes both traditional dormitories and suite-style accommodations across 16 residential neighborhoods. The institution competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Boilermakers in the Big Ten Conference, with a particularly notable history in men's basketball.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Purdue is rated within the top 20% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 9 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Purdue University Main Campus within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#103 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#15 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#3 in Best Colleges in Indiana
#1 in Best Public Colleges in Indiana
#75 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#3 in Best Value Colleges in Indiana
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1190/1460 |
| ACT | 27/34 |
| GPA | 3.67 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Average |
| Application Fee | $60 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Indiana Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,030 |
| Other Fees | $274 |
| Room and Board | $11,650 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,210 |
| Total One Year Cost | $24,882 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,030 |
| Other Fees | $274 |
| Room and Board | $11,650 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,210 |
| Total One Year Cost | $43,684 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Engineering | 18% |
| Business | 18% |
| Engineering Technology | 8% |
| Education | 6% |
| Work and Family Studies | 6% |
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Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Purdue University Main Campus.
- Meeting admission requirements for Purdue?
- Affordable public universities with good engineering programs?
- Understanding SAT requirements for Big 10
- Impact of Class Rank on Big 10 College Admissions
- Explaining Class Rank in Big 10 Applications
- What makes Purdue's study abroad program unique?
- What's a good ACT Science subscore?
- Are SAT subscores used for placement?
- Is acceptance for international students tougher?
- Virginia Tech or Purdue for mechanical engineering?
- Pros and Cons of Purdue's Aviation Program?
- Hardest Colleges to Get Into in Indiana?
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=243780 IPEDS survey data for Purdue University Main Campus.
Current students may use the Purdue University Main Campus GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025