Purdue University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Purdue University-Main Campus (Purdue) is a public research university in West Lafayette, Indiana, enrolling about 44,503 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 49.87% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $72,424 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $9,992
- 2024 Average Net Price: $14,600 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 49.87% Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 44,503 94.1% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 83.10%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 18.5%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 0.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 96.1%
- Average SAT Score: 1364
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 47,246
- Applicants (IPEDS): 73,083
- Room & Board: $12,820 annual estimate
Purdue University-Main Campus: what the data shows
Common questions about Purdue University-Main Campus, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Purdue University-Main Campus?
Purdue University-Main Campus is located in West Lafayette, IN (ZIP 47907-2040).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is Purdue University-Main Campus public or private?
Purdue University-Main Campus is a Public institution.
How much does Purdue University-Main Campus cost?
Published tuition: $9,992 in-state, $28,794 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $14,600.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $5,098 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $6,241 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $9,438 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $18,177 |
| $110,001+ | $22,742 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $39,968.
How hard is it to get into Purdue University-Main Campus?
Admission rate: 49.87%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1364 and midpoint ACT 30.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Purdue University-Main Campus?
Total enrollment: 44,503 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 47,246 students.
Graduate enrollment: 13,839 students.
About 94% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Purdue University-Main Campus?
150%-time completion rate: 83.10%.
First-year retention: 92.7%.
What do graduates of Purdue University-Main Campus earn?
Median earnings: $60,838 six years after entry; $72,424 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $19,500.
12.98% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Purdue University-Main Campus known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Mechanical Engineering (819 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (803 completions)
- Computer Science (691 completions)
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering (577 completions)
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General (543 completions)
- Experimental Psychology (401 completions)
- Computer Engineering, General (370 completions)
- Industrial Engineering (366 completions)
- Information Technology (316 completions)
- Civil Engineering, General (314 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Purdue University-Main Campus a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 49.87%; completion rate 83.10%; median earnings $72,424 at 10 years; net price $14,600. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$9,992
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Purdue University-Main Campus was $9,992.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$14,600
2024 Value
In 2024 Purdue University-Main Campus had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $14,600.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$58,400 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$14,600 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$39,968 4-Year In-State Tuition
$115,176 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$12,820 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,070 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$23,882 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$95,528 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Purdue University-Main Campus.
Financial Aid by Income Level
12.98% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
22.45% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Purdue University-Main Campus was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Purdue University-Main Campus in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $9,992 | $28,794 | $15,543 |
| 2014 | $10,002 | $28,804 | $14,797 |
| 2015 | $10,002 | $28,804 | $13,516 |
| 2016 | $10,002 | $28,804 | $13,545 |
| 2017 | $9,992 | $28,794 | $13,746 |
| 2018 | $9,992 | $28,794 | $12,527 |
| 2019 | $9,992 | $28,794 | $13,986 |
| 2020 | $9,992 | $28,794 | $13,377 |
| 2021 | $9,992 | $28,794 | $9,127 |
| 2022 | $9,992 | $28,794 | $14,000 |
| 2023 | $9,992 | $28,794 | $13,945 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
49.87% Acceptance Rate
73,083 Total Applicants
36,763 Students Admitted
9,381 First-Time Students Enrolled
25.52% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution is selective, accepting about half of all applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1364
ACT Average: 30
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.5 - 3.7
Estimated Median GPA: 3.60
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Purdue University-Main Campus reported total enrollment of about 44,503 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 59% male and 41% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (54.0%), Asian (15.2%), and Non-Resident Alien (9.9%). About 12.98% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 18.5% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
94.1% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Purdue University-Main Campus in 2024 is 44,503 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 47,246 students. Graduate enrollment is about 13,839 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
92.7%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 54.0%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
65.11% 100% Completion Time
83.10% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 65.11% of students graduating from Purdue University-Main Campus completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Mechanical Engineering: 82% male / 18% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 62% male / 38% female
- Computer Science: 78% male / 22% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Purdue University-Main Campus.
Return on Investment
$19,500 Median Student Debt
$72,424 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
26.92% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
1140.14% Return on Investment
2.7 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Purdue University-Main Campus.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 199 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Mechanical Engineering: 819 completions
2. Business Administration and Management, General: 803 completions
3. Computer Science: 691 completions
4. Electrical and Electronics Engineering: 577 completions
5. Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General: 543 completions
6. Experimental Psychology: 401 completions
7. Computer Engineering, General: 370 completions
8. Industrial Engineering: 366 completions
9. Information Technology: 316 completions
Most popular programs at Purdue University-Main Campus.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Purdue University-Main Campus graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Purdue University-Main Campus from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 96.1%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $14,473
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $20,511
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Purdue University-Main Campus is a public institution located in West Lafayette, IN, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Mechanical Engineering, Business Administration and Management, General, Computer Science. Enrollment is approximately 44,503 students. Student body composition includes White (54.0%), Asian (15.2%), Non-Resident Alien (9.9%). It is selective, with an admission rate of 49.87%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1364. The 150%-time completion rate is 83.10%. Approximately 12.98% of students receive Pell Grants. About 18.5% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2040
Region: Great Lakes
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 83.10% graduation rate, Purdue University-Main Campus demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 199 distinct degree programs, Purdue University-Main Campus provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Purdue located?
Purdue University-Main Campus is located in West Lafayette, IN. The institution is also known as Purdue.
What is Purdue's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Purdue University-Main Campus (Purdue) is 49.9% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 73,083 applicants and 36,763 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Purdue cost?
Reported tuition is $9,992 and average net price is $14,600 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,820 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Purdue?
Purdue University-Main Campus reports undergraduate enrollment of about 47,246 students, White (54.0%), Asian (15.2%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Purdue?
About 18.5% of students at Purdue University-Main Campus are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Purdue University-Main Campus?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Purdue University-Main Campus reports midpoint SAT about 1364 and midpoint ACT about 30.
What do graduates of Purdue University-Main Campus earn?
Median earnings are $60,838 six years after entry and $72,424 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Purdue University-Main Campus?
The 150%-time completion rate is 83.1% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Purdue University-Main Campus students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $19,500.
Is Purdue University-Main Campus public or private?
Purdue University-Main Campus is a public institution located in West Lafayette, IN.
Is Purdue University-Main Campus an HBCU?
No. Purdue University-Main Campus is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Purdue University-Main Campus a tribal college?
No. Purdue University-Main Campus is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Indiana college profile
- Indiana college costs
- Indiana colleges by ROI
- Purdue University-Main Campus vs Indiana University-Bloomington vs University of Notre Dame
- West Lafayette, Indiana city profile
- Great Lakes regional profile
- Town college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Indiana
- Indiana college costs
- Indiana colleges by ROI
- Purdue University-Main Campus vs Indiana University-Bloomington vs University of Notre Dame
- Great Lakes regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Indiana
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.