Trine University vs. Purdue

Deciding between Trine University and Purdue University Main Campus? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Purdue University Main Campus

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Trine University Angola, IN
  • Purdue West Lafayette, IN
  • Setting
  • Trine University Distant Town
  • Purdue Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Trine University 4,646
  • Purdue 58,658
  • Type
  • Trine University Private 4 Year
  • Purdue Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Trine University #721
  • Purdue #102
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Trine University -
  • Purdue -
  • Status
  • Trine University Non-profit
  • Purdue Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Trine University
  • Purdue

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Trine University $36,560
  • Purdue $9,992
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Trine University $36,560
  • Purdue $28,794
  • Room & Board
  • Trine University $13,120
  • Purdue $12,820
  • Average Net Price
  • Trine University $25,355
  • Purdue $13,722
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Trine University $25,754
  • Purdue $11,294
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Trine University 96%
  • Purdue 40%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Trine University 3,988
  • Purdue 78,745
  • Admitted
  • Trine University 3,409
  • Purdue 39,272
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Trine University 85.5%
  • Purdue 49.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Trine University 18.8%
  • Purdue 29.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Trine University 1140
  • Purdue 1340
  • Typical ACT score
  • Trine University 24
  • Purdue 30
  • Average High School GPA
  • Trine University 3.51
  • Purdue 3.67
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Trine University A-
  • Purdue A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Trine University Average
  • Purdue Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Trine University
  • Purdue Low
  • ACT Range
  • Trine University 21/28
  • Purdue 27/34
  • SAT Range
  • Trine University 1030/1240
  • Purdue 1200/1480
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Trine University Test-free
  • Purdue Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Trine University Aug 1, 2027
  • Purdue

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Trine University 16:1
  • Purdue 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Trine University
    • Engineering (30%)
    • Business (19%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (13%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Purdue
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Work and Family Studies (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Trine University 44%
  • Purdue 68%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Trine University $46,400
  • Purdue $61,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Trine University 60%
  • Purdue 78%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Trine University $25,150
  • Purdue $21,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Trine University $260
  • Purdue $222

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Trine University 48%
  • Purdue 59%
  • % Women
  • Trine University 52%
  • Purdue 41%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Trine University Low
  • Purdue Medium
  • HBCU
  • Trine University No
  • Purdue No
  • % White
  • Trine University 79%
  • Purdue 65%
  • % Asian
  • Trine University 1%
  • Purdue 6%
  • % Black
  • Trine University 3%
  • Purdue 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Trine University 4%
  • Purdue 4%
  • % Native American
  • Trine University 0%
  • Purdue 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Trine University 0%
  • Purdue 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Trine University 2%
  • Purdue 2%
  • % International
  • Trine University 7%
  • Purdue 17%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Trine University 3%
  • Purdue 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Trine University 55%
  • Purdue 41%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Trine University 43%
  • Purdue 47%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Trine University Yes
  • Purdue Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Trine University No
  • Purdue No
  • Meal Plan
  • Trine University Yes
  • Purdue Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Trine University No
  • Purdue No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Trine University No
  • Purdue Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Trine University in Angola, IN 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 Trine University based on total student enrollment (58,658 students vs. 4,646 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Trine University is located in Angola, IN (Distant Town setting); Purdue University Main Campus is in West Lafayette, IN (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Trine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Trine University 16:1; Purdue University Main Campus 14:1.

Trine University vs. Purdue Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Trine University 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 Purdue University Main Campus than Trine University ($13,722 vs. $25,355).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Main Campus are 2.3% lower than at Trine University ($12,820 vs. $13,120).
  • Trine University is 265.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue (about $26,568 more per year; $36,560.00 vs. $9,992.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 27% higher at Trine University than at Purdue University Main Campus (about $7,766 more per year; $36,560.00 vs. $28,794.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Trine University than at Purdue University Main Campus (96% vs. 40%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Trine University students is 128% larger than aid received by Purdue University Main Campus students ($25,754 vs. $11,294).

Trine University vs. Purdue Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Trine University 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 Trine University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Purdue University Main Campus (1340) is 200 points higher than at Trine University (1140).
  • Incoming Purdue students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at Trine University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Trine University 1030/1240; Purdue University Main Campus 1200/1480.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Trine University 21/28; Purdue University Main Campus 27/34.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Trine University - Test-free; Purdue - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Trine University Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Purdue students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Trine University (3.51).
  • Trine University has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than Purdue (49.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.8% at Trine University vs. 29.2% at Purdue.

Trine University vs. Purdue Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Trine University 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).

  • Purdue University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Trine University's (44%).
  • Graduates from Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of about $14,800 more per year than Trine University graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,200 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Purdue University Main Campus graduates have a $3,650 lower median loan debt than Trine University graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,150).
  • Among borrowers, Purdue graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Trine University graduates ($222 vs. $260).
  • More Purdue graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Trine University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 60%)

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.