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Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN·Public·https://www.purdue.edu/

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.

50%
Acceptance Rate
78,745 applications
31
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 27–34
$9,992
2024-25 Tuition
In-state rate
$14,600
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$12,815
Room & Board
21 meals/week
44,503
Undergraduates
Degree-seeking, all years
29%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
83%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity50% · Moderate
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

600660720

SAT Math

600690760

Location

West Lafayette, IN

Campus Identity

Land GrantNCAA D1Greek LifePhD Programs

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.

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

Ski Access

112 miles

Four Lakes

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.

Four Lakes

Illinois

112 mi away
9 skiable acres7 lifts
60 skiable acres7 lifts
129 mi away
15 skiable acres7 lifts

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.

26°Jan30°Feb40°Mar51°Apr62°May71°Jun74°Jul72°Aug66°Sep54°Oct41°Nov31°Dec

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.

53/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety605139
60/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
51/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
39/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

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.

Tuition
$9,992$28,794
Fees
$274$274
Room & Board
$12,815$12,815
Total
$23,081$41,883
In-StateOut-of-State
App Fee: $60
Meal Plan: 21 meals/week
$14,600avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

349 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Computer ScienceBachelor's
560 grads/yr$146,685
Business Administration, Management and OperationsCertificate
509 grads/yr$89,788
Mechanical EngineeringBachelor's
478 grads/yr$102,572
Management Sciences and Quantitative MethodsMaster's
426 grads/yr
Computer EngineeringBachelor's
319 grads/yr$121,462

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Agricultural Business and Management
Master's30 grads$155,217
Computer Science
Bachelor's560 grads$146,685
Engineering, Other
Master's97 grads$140,404
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Master's35 grads$140,205
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
Master's211 grads$137,523
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
Professional144 grads$135,033
Mechanical Engineering
Master's219 grads$133,021
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's189 grads$132,747
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Master's174 grads$131,275
Veterinary Medicine
Professional80 grads$123,596

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.

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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)
Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.