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#15 Best Public Universities in America

Purdue Admission Requirements

West Lafayette, Indiana

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Your chances of getting into Purdue University Main Campus

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

52.7%
Admission Difficulty for Purdue University Main Campus
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Exceptional 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Purdue is 52.7%.  Its admission rate is the 5th lowest in Indiana.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Purdue and can you get accepted?

Purdue is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 36,146 out of the 68,582 who applied were admitted.

Purdue University Main Campus typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.67. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 26% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Purdue?

53% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Purdue University Main Campus you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.67 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1340 on the SAT
  • Score 30 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Purdue GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.67

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Purdue University Main Campus?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Purdue are to have around a 3.67 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Purdue accepts 53% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Purdue is 3.67 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #12 in Indiana for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Purdue University Main Campus students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 9.06% Good
3.75 to 3.99 39.39% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 26.63% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 14.91% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 6.84% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 2.93% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.22% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0.02% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Purdue SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1200-1470

Applicants Submitting SAT 

67%
SAT Scores for Purdue University Main Campus
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 600
Math 25th Percentile 600
Composite 25th Percentile 1200
SAT Scores for Purdue University Main Campus
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 710
Math 75th Percentile 760
Composite 75th Percentile 1470
Average SAT Score 1340

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Purdue University Main Campus?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Purdue is 1340 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1200-1470. Students who get into Purdue University Main Campus score in the top 24 percent of all SAT test takers..  Purdue ranks #3 in the state of Indiana and #149 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1340 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Purdue regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1200 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1200, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1060, but scores this low are outside the normal range. A competitive SAT score is very important as 67 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1340 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1335, you have around a 53% chance of being admitted. A 1470 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 68% chance of getting in.

Purdue University Main Campus admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1470 and Above Good >68%
1335 to 1470 Avg + 53%-68%
1200 to 1335 Avg - 37%-53%
1065 to 1200 Reach 24%-37%
Less than 1065 Low <24%
Calculate My Chances 

Purdue ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

27-34 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

29%
ACT Scores for Purdue University Main Campus
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 25
Math 25th Percentile 26
Composite 25th Percentile 27
ACT Scores for Purdue University Main Campus
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 34
Composite 75th Percentile 34
Average ACT Score 30

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Purdue?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Purdue is 30, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 27 and 34.  The school ranks #3 in Indiana and #151 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 30. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 27 and score in the score in the top 15 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 24.

29 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Purdue University Main Campus.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Purdue for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 30 score has around 53% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 70% with a 34 ACT score.

Purdue University Main Campus admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
34 and Above Good >70%
30 to 34 Avg + 53%-70%
27 to 30 Avg - 39%-53%
24 to 27 Reach 27%-39%
Less than 24 Low <27%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

77% of Purdue University Main Campus freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 48% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Purdue University Main Campus students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 48%
Top 25% of class 77%
Top 50% of class 96%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Purdue University Main Campus admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 26,514 42,068 68,582
Accepted 16,999 19,147 36,146
Acceptance Rate 64% 46% 53%
Enrolled 4,218 5,229 9,447
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 25% 27% 26%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Purdue University Main Campus is $60.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Purdue University Main Campus and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Purdue University Main Campus Application Requirements
Test Scores Required to be considered for admission
High School GPA Not considered for admission, even if submitted
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Purdue University Main Campus
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Purdue is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.67 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1340 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1470 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 30 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Purdue University Main Campus often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=243780 IPEDS survey data for Purdue University Main Campus.

Last updated February 24, 2024