Purdue University--Main Campus
#43 in National Universities (tie)
Overview
Purdue University—Main Campus is a public institution that was founded in 1869. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 37,949 (fall 2022), its setting is city, and the campus size is 2,468 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Purdue University—Main Campus' ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #43. Its in-state tuition and fees are $9,992; out-of-state tuition and fees are $28,794.
Purdue University's West Lafayette, Indiana, campus is the main campus in the Purdue University system, which encompasses four other campuses throughout the state. About 20% of students are affiliated with Greek life, and Purdue offers a wide range of activities and organizations. Performance groups include the "All American" Marching Band, six jazz bands and two symphony orchestras. The Boilermakers, Purdue’s athletic teams, compete in the Division I Big Ten Conference and are well known for their dominant men’s and women’s basketball teams. The Boilermaker Special, Purdue’s official mascot, is a railroad locomotive cared for and maintained by the student-run Purdue Reamer Club. Although no students are required to live in university housing, about one-third of undergraduates live on campus.
Purdue is made up of 13 schools and colleges, many of which serve both undergraduate and graduate students. Professional and graduate programs include the well-ranked College of Engineering, Krannert School of Management, College of Education and College of Pharmacy. Purdue’s esteemed School of Aeronautics and Astronautics within the College of Engineering has acquired the nickname "Cradle of Astronauts." One popular university tradition: many students mark the beginning and end of their time at Purdue by running through any of the five campus fountains. Notable alumni include legendary college basketball coach and player John Wooden, popcorn entrepreneur Orville Redenbacher and the first man to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong.
Purdue University—Main Campus is a public institution that was founded in 1869. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 37,949 (fall 2022), its setting is city, and the campus size is 2,468 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Purdue University—Main Campus' ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #43. Its in-state tuition and fees are $9,992; out-of-state tuition and fees are $28,794.
Purdue University's West Lafayette, Indiana, campus is the main campus in the Purdue University system, which encompasses four other campuses throughout the state. About 20% of students are affiliated with Greek life, and Purdue offers a wide range of activities and organizations. Performance groups include the "All American" Marching Band, six jazz bands and two symphony orchestras. The Boilermakers, Purdue’s athletic teams, compete in the Division I Big Ten Conference and are well known for their dominant men’s and women’s basketball teams. The Boilermaker Special, Purdue’s official mascot, is a railroad locomotive cared for and maintained by the student-run Purdue Reamer Club. Although no students are required to live in university housing, about one-third of undergraduates live on campus.
Purdue is made up of 13 schools and colleges, many of which serve both undergraduate and graduate students. Professional and graduate programs include the well-ranked College of Engineering, Krannert School of Management, College of Education and College of Pharmacy. Purdue’s esteemed School of Aeronautics and Astronautics within the College of Engineering has acquired the nickname "Cradle of Astronauts." One popular university tradition: many students mark the beginning and end of their time at Purdue by running through any of the five campus fountains. Notable alumni include legendary college basketball coach and player John Wooden, popcorn entrepreneur Orville Redenbacher and the first man to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong.
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At-a-Glance
Setting
City
In-state tuition and fees
$9,992
Undergraduate Enrollment
37,949
Acceptance Rate
53%
2024 Rankings
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Admissions
Cost
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees
$28,794
In-State Tuition & Fees
$9,992
Room & Board
$10,030(2023-24)
Average Need-Based Aid Package
$13,143
$9,127
$9,127
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees
$28,794
In-State Tuition & Fees
$9,992
Room & Board
$10,030(2023-24)
Average Need-Based Aid Package
$13,143
*Average in-state cost after aid
Academics
63%
14:1
39%
Popular Majors
MAJOR
% OF GRADUATES
ALUMNI STARTING SALARY
Engineering
27%
N/A
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
11%
N/A
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
10%
N/A
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians
7%
N/A
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
7%
N/A
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* In cases where salary data at the specific major level is unavailable, a general salary for the major category is displayed.
Faculty Research Impact
Bibliometric Rank
110
Bibliometrics is the statistical analyses of publications and citations for the purpose of measuring faculty research impact.Publications Cited in Top 25% of Journals
68%
Publications Cited in Top 5% of Journals
22%
Total Papers published between 2018-2022
36,458
Citations Per Publication
12:1
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Students
37,949
Graduate Enrollment
12,935
Total Enrollment
50,884
Full-Time Degree-Seeking Students
36,133
Student Diversity
Gender Distribution
Ethnic Diversity
27%
Minority Enrollment
27%
Minority Enrollment
61%
White
13%
Asian
11%
International
7%
Hispanic
5%
Two or more races
2%
Black
1%
Unknown
Not Specified is not included in this breakdown due to an enrollment of 0%.
Campus Life
Housing and Dorms
Types of campus housing available:
Student Activities
126+
Sports Teams
49
Fraternities
31
Sororities
After College
Graduation Rate
63%
Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)
39%
Average Debt at Graduation
$30,861
$56,360
$56,360
Graduation Rate
63%
Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)
39%
Average Debt at Graduation
$30,861
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Reviews & Ratings
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Undergraduate data are based on the 2022 school year.
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