Federal data, no marketing spin COLLEGES 50 SOURCES IPEDS · CDS · SCORECARD
CAMPUS · WEST LAFAYETTE, IN · PUBLIC

Purdue University Acceptance Rate

Purdue University-Main Campus
50.3%
ACCEPT
Why this page exists. I'm a parent who went through college admissions with my own kids, and I got tired of glossy brochures and sticker prices that mean nothing. For Purdue University, the gap is real: a $24,591 published sticker, but families actually pay about $12,339/yr after aid. Every number on this page comes straight from federal data (IPEDS & College Scorecard) — the real net price, what graduates actually earn, and your honest odds. No rankings theater, no marketing spin.
50
FIT
SAFETY
Purdue University is a safety for most applicants.
Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.
ACCEPTANCE
50.3%
of 73,083 applicants
SALARY · 10-YR
$72,424
across all majors
01

Purdue University at a Glance

56,210
Total Enrollment
$19,500
Median Debt
13.0%
Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for Purdue University

Test25th Percentile75th PercentileMidpoint
SAT Reading590710650
SAT Math600750675
SAT Total119014601325
ACT Composite273430

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received73,083
Students Admitted36,763
Students Enrolled9,381
Yield Rate25.5%

Purdue University Rankings

Ranking2025Year
US News National Universities #43 2025
QS World University Rankings #99 2025
THE World University Rankings #86 2025
Show 10-Year US News Ranking History
US News National Universities
2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
#61 #60 #56 #57 #57 #53 #49 #51 #43 #43

US News National Universities: #61 (2016) → #43 (2025) ↑ 18 spots

Purdue University Admissions Overview

Purdue University-Main Campus is a public university in West Lafayette, IN with 56,210 students. At 50.3% acceptance, it's selective but accessible to students who meet the academic benchmarks. The most popular majors are Engineering, Computer Science, and Business/Marketing.

Full NamePurdue University-Main Campus
LocationWest Lafayette, IN 47907-2040
TypePublic
Websitepurdue.edu/
Total Enrollment56,210
Undergrad Enrollment41,678
Female Students42.7%

Is Purdue University a Reach, Match, or Safety?

Purdue University accepts 50.3% of applicants, making it accessible for most qualified students. If you meet the basic academic requirements, this is likely a Safety school for you.

Your ProfilePurdue University Is...What to Do
Meet academic requirements Safety Strong odds — apply with confidence
Slightly below average Match Apply — still realistic

Purdue University True Cost by Family Income

13% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Purdue enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Family IncomeAnnual Net Price4-Year Total
$0-30k $5,098 $20,392
$30-48k $6,241 $24,964
$48-75k $9,438 $37,752
$75-110k $18,177 $72,708
$110k+ $22,742 $90,968

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board$11,878
Total Cost of Attendance$24,591

Want to see how Purdue University stacks up? Compare college costs side by side and check the college rankings by net price and salary outcomes.

Popular Majors at Purdue University

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Engineering
26.1%
Computer Science
11.7%
Business/Marketing
11.4%
Engineering Technology
7.5%
Biological Sciences
6.8%
Best Majors at Purdue University →

{sn} Student Demographics

White
60.3%
Black/African American
3.0%
Hispanic/Latino
6.9%
Asian
12.6%
International
10.9%

How to Get Into Purdue University

Purdue is a Safety school for most students who meet the basic requirements. Don't let the higher acceptance rate fool you — Purdue still offers strong programs and outcomes.

1325
Target SAT Score
30
Target ACT Score
50.3%
Acceptance Rate
73,083
Total Applicants

What Purdue University Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

FactorImportance
Academic Gpa Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record Very Important
Class Rank Important
Standardized Test Scores Important
Application Essay Important
Recommendation Considered
Extracurricular Activities Considered
Talent Ability Considered
Character Personal Qualities Considered
First Generation Considered
Alumni Relation Not Considered
Interview Not Considered
Work Experience Considered
Volunteer Work Considered

Want to know your odds? Use the college admissions calculator to see your chances at Purdue University by GPA and SAT/ACT — or calculate your college GPA first to check where you stand.

Purdue University Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the Purdue University EA admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

DeadlineDate
Early ActionNov 1
Regular DecisionJan 15
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)Mar 1
Early Action: Purdue University offers non-binding Early Action. Apply early for an earlier decision without committing — you can still compare offers.

See Purdue University alongside every school in our full college application deadlines calendar for 2026–2027.

{sn} Financial Aid & Student Debt

13.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
Students from low-income families
$19,500
Median Debt at Graduation
Federal loans only
$60,838
Median Earnings (6yr)
6 years after enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions About Purdue University

What is Purdue's acceptance rate?
Purdue has an acceptance rate of 50.3%, making it accessible to most qualified applicants. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.
What SAT score do I need for Purdue?
The middle 50% SAT range at Purdue is 1190-1460. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 27-34. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.
What are the most popular majors at Purdue?
The most popular majors at Purdue by degrees awarded are: Engineering (26.1%), Computer Science (11.7%), Business/Marketing (11.4%), Engineering Technology (7.5%), Biological Sciences (6.8%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.
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Plug your stats in. We'll tell you where you stand.

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Other Colleges in IN

Indiana University
80.4% accept · Bloomington

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. Purdue University is not affiliated with NextColleges.