Purdue Admission Requirements

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West Lafayette, IN
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Purdue Admission Overview

Purdue admission requirements are competitive. Last year Purdue admitted 49.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.67 GPA (A-) and SAT 1200-1480 / ACT 27-34. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Purdue requires the SAT or ACT for 2026-27.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.purdue.edu/become-student/guide/

Purdue Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

49.9%

Admission Standards

Exceptional

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Purdue acceptance rate is 49.9%. Last year, 39,272 of 78,745 applicants were admitted. That is the 3rd lowest acceptance rate in Indiana.

Admission Selectivity

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

Purdue is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Purdue University Main Campus typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.67. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 29% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Purdue GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.67

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.67

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Purdue typically have around a 3.67 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades 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

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Purdue University Main Campus freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Purdue Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Purdue University requires first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle to submit SAT, ACT, or CLT scores. A complete application for most first-year students includes self-reported ACT or SAT scores, and Purdue has no preference among those tests. You may report your highest section scores across test dates; the ACT Science section is optional, and scores must be from within the past five years. If you were unable to take a test, Purdue still allows you to submit an application.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.purdue.edu/become-student/guide/

Purdue SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1200-1480

Freshmen who sent SAT

79%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 600
Math 600
Composite 1200

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 720
Math 760
Composite 1480

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Purdue typically score around a 1340 SAT (middle 50% 1200–1480) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 91st percentile nationally. Purdue ranks #3 in the state of Indiana and #150 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1200 to 1480

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

You must send SAT or ACT for 2026-27. Confirm current rules on the school's site.

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Purdue University Main Campus
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1480+	Above 75th	>66%
1340 to 1480	Avg +	50%-66%
1200 to 1340	Avg -	34%-50%
Below 1200	Below mid-50	<34%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Purdue ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

27-34

Freshmen reporting ACT

25%

25th Percentile Scores

English 26
Math 26
Composite 27

75th Percentile Scores

English 35
Math 34
Composite 34

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Purdue typically have around a 30 ACT (mid-50 27–34) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 93rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Purdue places #5 among colleges in Indiana and #161 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 27 to 34

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

ACT or SAT is required for 2026-27. Check the school's site for current rules.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 30.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Purdue University Main Campus
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
34+	Above 75th	>68%
30 to 34	Avg +	50%-68%
27 to 30	Avg -	37%-50%
Below 27	Below mid-50	<37%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

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

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and SAT or ACT compare with last year's enrolled class. This is not a personal probability of admission.

Open the Purdue chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Purdue University Main Campus admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	30,272	48,473	78,745
Accepted	16,721	22,551	39,272
Acceptance Rate	55%	47%	50%
Enrolled	4,522	6,945	11,467
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	27%	31%	29%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Required to be considered for admission
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
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

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Purdue University Main Campus
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Purdue is test-required for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 49.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.67 GPA (about an A- average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025