Founded in 1869, Purdue University-Main Campus. is a Public college. Located in Indiana, which is a city setting in Indiana, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 31,105 full time undergraduate students, and 10,408 full time graduate students.
The Purdue University-Main Campus Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 12:1. There are 1989 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Purdue University-Main Campus include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
55%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
60
SAT Range
1070-1320
ACT Range
25-31
Admissions at PU are considered Selective, with ,228% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 15 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
97% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 76% were in the top quarter, and 41% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Purdue University-Main Campus.
4%
“We”re apathetic”
36%
“We know about current events and vote”
53%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
7%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
2%
“We save it for the classroom”
11%
“Sometimes, but not often”
60%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
27%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
6%
“I only go out in groups”
32%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
61%
“I feel extremely safe”
3%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
23%
“We bought the gear”
74%
“We live for the big game”
13%
“It”s not really our thing”
34%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
47%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
6%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
7%
“Available in class”
62%
“They keep regular office hours”
27%
“They”re always available”
2%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
11%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
75%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
12%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
2%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
17%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
45%
“We only party on weekends”
35%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
10%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
67%
“There might be people who do”
20%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
3%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
4%
“We”re apathetic”
36%
“We know about current events and vote”
53%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
7%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
2%
“We save it for the classroom”
11%
“Sometimes, but not often”
60%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
27%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
6%
“I only go out in groups”
32%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
61%
“I feel extremely safe”
3%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
23%
“We bought the gear”
74%
“We live for the big game”
13%
“It”s not really our thing”
34%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
47%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
6%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
7%
“Available in class”
62%
“They keep regular office hours”
27%
“They”re always available”
2%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
11%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
75%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
12%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
419 Students rated on-campus housing 3.8 stars. 19 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
307 Students rated off-campus housing 3.8 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
438 Students rated campus food 4.2 stars. 46 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
442 Students rated campus facilities 4.2 stars. 37 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
441 Students rated class size 3.8 stars. 20 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
443 Students rated school activities 4.3 stars. 51 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
444 Students rated local services 3.8 stars. 31 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
443 Students rated academics 4.2 stars. 46 % gave the school a 5.0.
Purdue University-Main Campus REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Purdue University-Main Campus?
189 Students rated Purdue University-Main Campus
Leila
Purdue University is known primarily for it's computer science, pharmacy and engineering divisions, albeit they have a reputation in other fields as well. However, the student culture can be very toxic if you are not a part of these three colleges, because people often look down on you if you aren't. The student body is largely academically focused, and our party scene isn't the greatest. If you want to party, look towards joining a frat or sorority; that is where most of the parties occur. We are a weekend party school, not a weekday. Our food is not bad at all, there are five dining halls and a lot of to-go options for on campus dining. We have a pretty good variety of off-campus options as well, including a great ramen place and Indian restaurants, as well as boba and frozen yogurt. The on-campus housing is a 50/50 chance of you getting a good dorm or bad dorm. We have a couple very new nice dorms, and a couple horrible ones. It depends on where you are placed. The off-campus situation is horrible. It is very hard to find an affordable apartment near campus, and leases go out so quickly. If you want to be near campus you will pay over 1000 dollars a month minimum. Our academics are pretty good, the class sizes are huge during your freshman year. But overall, there are a lot of resources to help you. Overall, Purdue is a great school for your career goals and networking, however it has a few flaws in regards to campus life. The campus is gorgeous though!
Elizabeth
Purdue University is a great place to feel safe and welcomed. Almost at every corner, there is a blue-light that allows you to access safety if you or someone else is in danger. Everyone at Purdue gives a welcoming, friendly vibe and it makes you feel safe. The dorms are very nice and a perfect size for students. Overall, Purdue is a great school and I love it!
Jade
Visiting Purdue University's main campus in West Lafayette, Indiana, was an impressive experience. The University is known for its world-class engineering and science programs, highly visible in its strong focus on innovation and academic rigor. The campus is a beautiful blend of historic architecture and modern buildings!
Ashley
Purdue is a really nice campus with kind and intelligent people. Purdue has been known to have issues with housing, but if you can get around that, it's not bad at all. There are lots of places to study on campus, though they can get a little crowded. There are also several fast food places and multiple dining halls to choose from, which actually have really goof food most of the time. Overall, Purdue is a nice university and will give you a great education.
Ashley
Purdue is a really nice campus with kind and intelligent people. Purdue has been known to have issues with housing, but if you can get around that, it's not bad at all. There are lots of places to study on campus, though they can get a little crowded. There are also several fast food places and multiple dining halls to choose from, which actually have really goof food most of the time. Overall, Purdue is a nice university and will give you a great education.
Lily
Something that really stuck out while I visited Purdue's campus was how alive the campus felt, while touring I saw hundreds of people walking from class to class. It gave me a feeling of how this campus acts as its own little town as well, creating a small environment for me to grow socially and intellectually. I feel as though this is my top choice as a current high school senior, and I am happy to say so.
Bart
A institution of learning with a passion for students to stay on the journey to succeed in being tomorrow's best.
When I enrolled in March 2024; the hardest thing is patiently waiting for response on the multiple transcripts I have submitted. At Purdue University.
I feel more than a student. A scholar with a passion to learn , to laugh and live the dream which is FEMA.
Jaimie
When I first came to Purdue, I noticed that it has a very lively campus that encourages diversity and inclusion. This campus is very welcoming and celebrates all interests in a way that accurately reflects the schools values. Yes, it is known for its high quality academics and education, but Purdue promotes social gatherings just as much!
Molly
With my time at Purdue University, I do not have one bad thing to say about it. The campus provides so many resources for any of your needs. The campus may be large but they find a way to make it feel very inclusive, and feel like you are a part of something.
Nathan
Purdue has been great with opportunities for both my academic and social life. The courses are rigorous and challenging but there are plenty of resources to support students and help them learn the material. There are numerous clubs to get involved with on campus too which is great. The social scene is what you make of it, but I think that there is a diverse community and welcoming environment.
Reagan
Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana is an excellent university for Engineering, Aeronautics, Pharmacy and Computer Technology degrees. I knew that I would receive an unparalleled education at Purdue. The knowledgeable and helpful professors are excited about their subjects of teaching and the classes are excellent and engaging. Despite the big campus atmosphere, Purdue still maintains small-school feel within its individual colleges.
As for campus life, all students seem to find a place to fit in, ultimately, and students note that the atmosphere on campus coaxes most out of their shell sooner or later.
Anika
Purdue has been the first school to challenge me with their classes and course load. As a Computer Science major, I was expecting to have a hard time relating to others, as I believed there would be many students who were stand-offish and not friendly (especially since I am female in a male-dominated industry). However, I have met an amazing group of friends through my time at purdue, and I am always meeting more people both in and out of my major.
The professors are always around to ask questions, even with the many students in a single class. However, I never found the class size to impact my learning, and I have done well even with many students taking the same class.
Joseph
It is good university to attend but it is getting more crowded each year. The Engineering program is really hard. If you were a smart student in high school, you will be with many smart students from all over the world at Purdue University. It is a great place to apply for internships, because all the companies come to visit the campus all year.
Emma
I am currently a senior at Purdue's main campus, and my experience overall here has been very positive. The environment of the campus is very welcoming and it is also very safe. The academics here are not to play around with, the STEM majors are as intense as they claim to be. I think the campus could definitely benefit from more diversity, there is a noticeable lack of it, but I know there have been improvements and additions to the DEI program so hopefully that improves. As far as extracurriculars and clubs, there is a little bit of everything for everyone here, with numerous IM teams, club teams, and thousands of clubs to join!
Jesa
Purdue is exactly what you make of it. If you don't want to get involved in activities outside of class, that doesn't mean that you're going to be alone. Making the campus feel small is easy; I made a small group of friends and we had a great time going to small events put on by the student government, visiting restaurants, coffee shops, and parks, and hanging out in dorms or apartments. I know plenty of people were on the opposite end of the spectrum, and were totally involved in everything, but just because it's a big campus doesn't mean that you have to do a lot. Academics are good, but keep in mind that you'll have to go out of your way to build connections with professors and TAs, even if you're in a small class. Not that professors don't care (they usually care a lot and love to meet with students!), but they have a lot of students and/or classes to keep track of, so they aren't going to be going out of their way to connect with you, in most cases. Generally, I had a good college experience at Purdue and would recommend it to students looking to find their people.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Purdue University-Main Campus is 55%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
My advice to myself would be quite simple: Don't worry, everything will work itself out. When you go to college, it's an easy transition. You'll find friends, you'll lose some friends, but everything will work out, even if it seems like the end at the time of the rocky steps. You'll fall into a fantastic hobby, find out who your true friends are, and find out what you're destined to do with your life...and realize that Purdue University was the best decision. Without it, you wouldn't have found out your true self and never would have discovered how amazing life can be. If there is one thing to remember it's this: Don't be afraid, for there will only come good things, even if the good comes through a loss.
What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
The worst thing about Purdue is the location. West Lafayette is a very small town and there is not much to do unless you are 21. It is very much a college town and everything is based around Purdue. Also, the greek system at Purdue is huge and at times it seems that if you are not part of the greek community that you are almost an outcast.
Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
Traditions are very important at Purdue, which made it a lot of fun. From not walking under the Bell Tower to breakfast club, learning the uniquely Purdue things made you feel included.
Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.
Purdue University, main campus and satellite campuses provide a world class education while minimizing living expenses & disruptions in employment; the nursing department staff members are outgoing, supportive & incredibly knowledgeable.
Size is the best thing about Purdue. It allows for a lot of diversity and a strong academic program, along with allowing students to find their respective niches. Basically there's something for everyone, but we're all tied together with alot of school spirit.
My overall opinion of Purdue University is that it is among the top schools in the nation to attend for the advancement of education and life skills. One experience that I will always remember was the day I moved into my dorm at Purdue. It was one of the best days of my life. Before I even came to Purdue they made me feel like I was already a student by constantly sending me newsletters, updates, and letting me know of the opportunities awaiting me when I arrived. When I did get to Purdue, it did not disappoint. Prospective students may worry that the school seems very large and overwhelming. Although the university is large, it hosts many different organizations and clubs that allow for the personal connections of a smaller school. This made it really easy to make friends almost immediately. The fact that Purdue offers so many different opportunities for students to meet others and get involved on campus and in the local community is one thing that makes it so great. In fact, there are over 880 clubs and organizations that any student can get involved in! Not only is Purdue focused on student involvement but also faculty involvement. I truly believe that the university offers world class professors. I have never taken a class with a professor who was not willing to speak with or help a student individually- even in a class that has 400 people! This makes it much easier for students to excel in the classroom. Another favorite part about Purdue for me is the intense school pride. Thousands of students attend athletic events each week and when you walk through campus you will notice most people proudly sporting their Purdue apparel. There is even a small train driven around campus that students can ride on called "The Boilermaker Special." The Boilermaker Special makes its rounds each day to remind us of our Boilermaker pride! While all of these staples of Purdue make me proud to attend this university, the thing that I love most is that it provides students with endless opportunities each and every day. In my time here I have learned that my college experience is whatever I want to make it and at Purdue University the sky is the limit.
Way too many international students in engineering. Especially Asians! It is very true as Purdue ranks very high in terms of international student population (looked it up in the year 2011 annual report) especially in the engineering majors.
Any person should attend Purdue University. This college is the number one college in diversity in the nation, thus creating an environment any student can feel comfortable in. The campus is large, but is set up so it is easy to navigate. There are infinite clubs and activities to participate in, so students will easily create a "home away from home" at the college.
What's the most frustrating thing about your school?
The most frustrating thing is that Lafayette isn't a big city... if you want to go to a big city you have to go to either Indianapolis or Chicago, and since freshman can't own cars, that's almost completely out of the question. Another personally frustrating thing about Indiana in general is the weather, but since I came from Hawaii I'm a little, I suppose, "sensitive" when it comes to cold and rain. Many people at the campus are from Indiana and already know each other, but there are also many people who don't know anyone.
Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?
Although Purdue is very well known for engineering and there are a lot of engineering students on campus, there are also plenty of students in different majors. Purdue has great academics in just about every area so along with the engineers you will find many agriculture, liberal arts, and management students to name a few.
What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?
There are several stereotypes, both good and bad describing the Greek system at Purdue. The first common stereotype is that people in the Greek system party excessively, do not choose challenging majors, and think they are better than everyone else. The second stereotype revolves around the belief that people in the Greek system are more involved than others, having higher GPA's, and have a massive amount of school spirit. People generally believe one of the two depending on their own personal beliefs, values, and judgments. Engineering majors are generally though of as anti-social,socially awkward, yet well-respected because everyone knows they are going to make a lot of money someday. People from overseas and all other non-caucasian individuals are generally thought of as being rich for affording out-of-state tuition. Athletes are stereotyped as being unintelligent, yet well-respected for their athletic achievements.
On days of home basketball games, volleyball games, or, of course, football games, there's nowhere better to be than in Ross-Ade Stadium, Mackey Arena, or the Intercollegiate Athletic Facility to get your Purdue spirit fix! Games will be talked about for days before and after they happen. It's all about the Big Ten atmosphere of our sports... and they're never a boring watch (even if our teams don't win every game)!
Greek life here at Purdue accounts for just under 20{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the overall student population. This may sound like a small number, but twenty percent of 40,000 is a pretty large number of students! Most people don't feel any pressure to join any sort of Greek or Co-op house, but many choose to do so anyway. Over all, it seems to be at the perfect balance of being very active and useful on campus and also not feeling like the "thing to do" to incoming students
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
65% of students attending Purdue University-Main Campus receive some sort of financial aid.
19% were awarded federal grants.33%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
