Purdue University-Main Campus
At a Glance
Purdue University-Main Campus is a large public university in West Lafayette, IN. Approximately 44,503 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 50% acceptance rate. Greek life is active on campus. The school competes in NCAA Division I athletics. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 53/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Location
West Lafayette, IN
Campus Identity
Purdue University-Main Campus is a large public university in West Lafayette, IN. Approximately 44,503 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 50% acceptance rate. Greek life is active on campus. The school competes in NCAA Division I athletics. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 53/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
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Campus Lifestyle
Purdue University-Main Campus is a 20,000+, urban school with NCAA D1 athletics and a strong greek life Greek scene. The campus is 112 miles from Four Lakes.
Athletics
NCAA D1
Big Ten
School Size & Setting
20,000+
Urban setting
Weather
Cold Climate
44°F avg school-year
Greek Life at Purdue University-Main Campus
At Purdue University-Main Campus, 15% of men are in a fraternity and 19% of women are in a sorority. That is a modest Greek presence. Chapters are active, but most students are not affiliated. Figures come from the institution’s reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the student life office for the current season.
15%
Men in fraternities
19%
Women in sororities
Strong Greek Life
Greek life scale
Nearby Ski Resorts
Purdue University-Main Campus students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Four Lakes, 112 miles away with 7 lifts and 9 skiable acres. All are within 129 miles of campus.
Illinois
Michigan
Illinois
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · West Lafayette, IN
West Lafayette has a cool climate, with winters averaging 26°F in Jan and summers peaking around 74°F in Jul.
Station: LAFAYETTE PURDUE UNIVERSITY Airport · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
Purdue University-Main Campus in IN earns a composite safety score of 53/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $9,992 | $28,794 |
| Fees | $274 | $274 |
| Room & Board | $12,815 | $12,815 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $23,081 | $41,883 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
349 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Purdue University-Main Campus located?
Purdue University-Main Campus is located in West Lafayette, IN. The main campus address is Hovde Hall of Administration, West Lafayette, IN. It is a public institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at Purdue University-Main Campus?
Purdue University-Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 50%, making it moderately selective. Out of 78,745 applicants, 39,272 were admitted in the most recent year.
How many students attend Purdue University-Main Campus?
Purdue University-Main Campus enrolls 44,503 undergraduates. That figure counts degree-seeking undergraduate students across all years, not just the incoming class, and it excludes graduate students. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What ACT score do you need for Purdue University-Main Campus?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Purdue University-Main Campus scored between 27 and 34 on the ACT, with a median of 31. About 25% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend Purdue University-Main Campus?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Purdue University-Main Campus charges $9,992/year for in-state students and $28,794/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board ($12,815/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $28,794/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $14,600/year — what students actually pay. Use Purdue University-Main Campus's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
What is the application fee for Purdue University-Main Campus?
The undergraduate application fee at Purdue University-Main Campus is $60. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.
Is Purdue University-Main Campus a Division I (D1) school?
Yes. Purdue University-Main Campus is an NCAA Division I school, part of the Big Ten. Division I is the top tier of NCAA athletics, home to the largest programs, athletic scholarships, and nationally televised games.
What percentage of students at Purdue University-Main Campus are in Greek life?
At Purdue University-Main Campus, 15% of men are in a fraternity and 19% of women are in a sorority. That is a modest Greek presence. Chapters exist and are active, but most students are not affiliated. Figures come from the institution's reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the school's student life office for the current season.
Is Purdue University-Main Campus the right fit for me?
Whether Purdue University-Main Campus is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (50% admit rate), avg net price ($14,600/year after aid), campus culture in West Lafayette, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Purdue University-Main Campus against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Purdue University-Main Campus directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Public
- Location
- West Lafayette, IN
- Size
- 20,000+
- Degrees Offered
- Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, Certificates
- Land Grant
- Yes
- NCAA
- NCAA D1
- Conference
- Big Ten
- School Year Weather
- Cold · 44°F avg
- App Fee
- $60
- On Campus Safety Score
- 53/100
- Nearest Airport
- West Lafayette, IN (LAF) · 2 mialso GUS (43 mi), IND (59 mi)
