Wabash College vs. Purdue

Comparable Facts

Compare Wabash College in Crawfordsville, 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 Wabash College based on total student enrollment (58,658 students vs. 866 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wabash College is located in Crawfordsville, IN (Distant Town setting); Purdue University Main Campus is in West Lafayette, IN (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Wabash 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: Wabash College 9:1; Purdue University Main Campus 14:1.

Wabash College vs. Purdue Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wabash 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 Purdue University Main Campus than Wabash College ($13,722 vs. $25,562).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Main Campus are 11% lower than at Wabash College ($12,820 vs. $14,400).
• Wabash College is 408.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue (about $40,808 more per year; $50,800.00 vs. $9,992.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.4% higher at Wabash College than at Purdue University Main Campus (about $22,006 more per year; $50,800.00 vs. $28,794.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wabash College than at Purdue University Main Campus (100% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wabash College students is 250.7% larger than aid received by Purdue University Main Campus students ($39,605 vs. $11,294).

Wabash College vs. Purdue Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wabash 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 Wabash College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Purdue University Main Campus (1340) is 170 points higher than at Wabash College (1170).
• Incoming Purdue students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Wabash College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wabash College 1060/1270; Purdue University Main Campus 1200/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wabash College 23/28; Purdue University Main Campus 27/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wabash College - Test optional; Purdue - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wabash College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Purdue students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Wabash College (3.6).
• Wabash College has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Purdue (49.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Wabash College vs. 29.2% at Purdue.

Wabash College vs. Purdue Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wabash 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).

• Wabash College's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Purdue University Main Campus's (68%).
• Graduates from Wabash College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Purdue graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,800 vs. $61,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Purdue University Main Campus graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Wabash College graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Purdue graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wabash College graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More Purdue graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wabash College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 70%)

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.