Purdue University Main Campus
- 9/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- West Lafayette, IN
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4.6 5 reviews
Overview
Total enrollment
58,658- Location West Lafayette, Indiana
- Website purdue.edu
- Type Public 4 Year
- Setting Midsize Suburban
Best Colleges Rank
#102- Size Large
- Status Non-profit
- 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
Purdue is rated within the top 20% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 9 out of 10.
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Overall Rating9 out of 10
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Academics10 out of 10
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Resources8 out of 10
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Outcomes9 out of 10
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Value10 out of 10
Rankings
Rankings for Purdue University Main Campus within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
Admissions
Admission Standards
- SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1200/1480
- ACT (enrolled mid-50) 27/34
- GPA 3.67
Acceptance Rate
- Applications Due -
- Enrollment Rate 29.2%
- Application Fee $60
Applicant Competition Average
Annual Cost to Attend
Indiana Resident Tuition
$9,992Out of State Resident Tuition
$28,794Breakdown
- Tuition $9,992
- Books and Supplies $1,070
- Other Fees $274
- Room and Board $12,820
- Budget for Other Expenses $2,290
- Total One Year Cost $26,446
- Tuition $28,794
- Books and Supplies $1,070
- Other Fees $274
- Room and Board $12,820
- Budget for Other Expenses $2,290
- Total One Year Cost $45,248
Student Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
Popular majors at Purdue University Main Campus are Engineering, Business, and Engineering Technology. 18% of students major in Engineering, 18% in Business, and 8% in Engineering Technology.
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Engineering 18%
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Business 18%
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Engineering Technology 8%
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Education 6%
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Work and Family Studies 6%
More Colleges to Consider
Students considering Purdue University Main Campus are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=243780.
GPA calculator: Purdue University Main Campus GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026