Berea College vs. Purdue

Comparable Facts

Compare Berea College in Berea, KY with Purdue University Main Campus in West Lafayette, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Purdue University Main Campus is larger than Berea College based on total student enrollment (58,658 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Berea College is located in Berea, KY (Distant Town setting); Purdue University Main Campus is in West Lafayette, IN (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Berea College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Berea College 9:1; Purdue University Main Campus 14:1.

Berea College vs. Purdue Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Berea College or Purdue? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Berea College than Purdue ($5,888 vs. $13,722).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Berea College are 36% lower than at Purdue University Main Campus ($8,208 vs. $12,820).
• Berea College is 417% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue (about $41,666 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $9,992.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.4% higher at Berea College than at Purdue University Main Campus (about $22,864 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $28,794.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Berea College than at Purdue University Main Campus (100% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Berea College students is 385.5% larger than aid received by Purdue University Main Campus students ($54,830 vs. $11,294).

Berea College vs. Purdue Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Berea College or Purdue? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Purdue and Berea College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Purdue University Main Campus (1340) is 90 points higher than at Berea College (1250).
• Incoming Purdue students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Berea College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 1156/1335; Purdue University Main Campus 1200/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 23/28; Purdue University Main Campus 27/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Berea College - Test optional; Purdue - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berea College Mar 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Purdue students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Berea College (3.62).
• Purdue has a higher acceptance rate (49.9%) than Berea College (19.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Berea College vs. 29.2% at Purdue.

Berea College vs. Purdue Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Berea College and Purdue? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of about $25,100 more per year than Berea College graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,200 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Berea College graduates have a $15,700 lower median loan debt than Purdue graduates ($5,800 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Berea College graduates have an estimated $163 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purdue graduates ($59 vs. $222).
• More Purdue graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Berea College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.