Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN US News #48

28.0%

Acceptance Rate

1380

Avg SAT

Avg ACT

3.78

Avg GPA

Purdue University, founded in 1869 as Indiana's land-grant university, has become one of America's premier engineering and technology institutions. Purdue's "Cradle of Astronauts" has produced more NASA astronauts than any other university, reflecting its aerospace legacy. The university consistently ranks among the top 10 engineering schools nationally. Purdue's culture emphasizes hard work, humility, and engineering excellence. The Boilermaker identity, derived from the university's history of beating athletic opponents who called Purdue students "boilermakers" as an insult, reflects the practical, no-nonsense Midwestern character. Students here focus on getting things done. Notable alumni span aerospace and technology: astronaut Neil Armstrong, Gus Grissom, and numerous other space explorers; Chesley Sullenberger ("Sully"), the pilot who landed on the Hudson River; and countless engineering and business leaders. Purdue's alumni have shaped aerospace, manufacturing, and technology. Purdue enrolls approximately 37,000 undergraduates and 13,000 graduate students on a 2,600-acre campus in West Lafayette, Indiana. The campus features a mix of historic buildings and modern research facilities. Purdue's commitment to freezing tuition since 2013 has made it one of America's best values in higher education.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate: 28.0%
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Avg GPA: 3.78

Campus & Students

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Student Life & Environment

Student life at Purdue University combines Big Ten athletics excitement with diverse opportunities for personal growth and community engagement across a campus of approximately 50,000 students. Boilermaker football at Ross-Ade Stadium and basketball at Mackey Arena generate passionate school spirit that unites the campus community, with the World's Largest Drum leading the marching band's stirring pregame traditions. Greek life flourishes with over 80 fraternities and sororities, making Purdue's system one of the largest in the nation and providing social connections, leadership development, and community service opportunities. More than 1,000 student organizations cover every conceivable interest, from engineering teams competing in international robotics and solar car competitions to cultural groups, political organizations, and recreational clubs. The France A. Cordova Recreational Sports Center provides comprehensive fitness facilities, aquatic center, and climbing wall accessible to all students. Purdue's residential system includes diverse options from traditional halls to apartment-style living, with themed learning communities connecting students with shared academic or personal interests. The Purdue Memorial Union serves as the heart of campus social life, housing dining options, meeting spaces, and the celebrated Purdue Bookstore. The campus culture emphasizes hard work and practical achievement while finding time for celebration and community.

Location & Surroundings

West Lafayette, Indiana provides Purdue University with an authentic college town experience where the university dominates the community's identity and students feel genuinely welcomed as essential members. The city of approximately 50,000 residents exists largely to support Purdue and its students, with local businesses, restaurants, and services oriented toward campus needs. Chauncey Hill and the Village offer dining and entertainment options within walking distance of campus, while downtown Lafayette across the Wabash River provides additional restaurants, bars, and cultural venues. The cost of living in West Lafayette remains remarkably affordable compared to peer institutions in larger metropolitan areas, allowing students to stretch their budgets significantly further. Indiana's central location enables relatively easy travel to Chicago (two hours), Indianapolis (one hour), and other midwestern destinations for weekend exploration or professional opportunities. The surrounding countryside offers outdoor recreation including state parks, nature preserves, and the Wabash River heritage corridor. While lacking the cultural amenities of major metropolitan areas, West Lafayette provides the focused academic environment that some students prefer, with minimal distractions from university life. The four-season climate brings genuine winter weather that builds character while providing beautiful autumn colors and pleasant spring and fall temperatures. Indianapolis International Airport provides reasonable flight connections for students traveling greater distances.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Purdue University delivers exceptional educational value through a unique commitment to affordability that distinguishes it from peer research institutions. Under President Mitch Daniels' leadership, Purdue froze tuition for over a decade while peer institutions continued annual increases, resulting in significant cost savings for current students compared to what they would pay at similar universities. Indiana resident tuition and fees of approximately $10,000 and out-of-state rates of roughly $29,000 represent genuine bargains for education at a top-tier research university. When combined with affordable West Lafayette living costs, total attendance expense undercuts most peer institutions substantially. The Center for Career Opportunities provides comprehensive support including career counseling, resume development, interview preparation, and access to one of the nation's largest campus career fairs. Major employers actively recruit Boilermakers, with engineering and technology companies including those in aerospace, automotive, and computing sectors maintaining strong on-campus presence. Cooperative education programs allow students to gain substantial paid work experience while progressing toward degrees. Graduate and professional school placement rates reflect Purdue's academic rigor, with strong outcomes for engineering, business, law, and medical school applicants. The alumni network spans over 600,000 living graduates, providing connections and mentorship opportunities throughout careers. Return on investment analyses consistently rank Purdue among public universities delivering strongest career outcomes relative to educational investment.