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Purdue University-Main Campus

Purdue-West Lafayette

West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2040

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Large campusUrban

Strong graduate outcomes — known for engineering

Purdue University-Main Campus is a public institution in West Lafayette with particular strength in engineering and business. With an average SAT of 1342, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 39.6K undergraduates with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

83% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $72,424 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $13,945.

Established
2016
Mascot
Lion (named Leo)
Type
Public regional master's university
Division
Division II

Plan Your Visit

50%Acceptance
1342SAT Avg
39,637Students
14:1Student:Faculty
83%Grad Rate
$72,424Earnings 10yr
$13,945Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate50.3%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1342

Reading & WritingMid: 640
590710
MathMid: 670
600750

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 30
2734

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$9,992
Tuition (out-of-state)$28,794
Room & Board$11,650
Books & Supplies$1,030
Total Cost of Attendance$22,567
Average Net Price$13,945
Median Debt at Graduation$19,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$207

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$4,927
$30–48K$5,925
$48–75K$8,948
$75–110K$18,919
$110K+$21,130

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

77.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

0.0%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$15,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

300

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

77

Burglary

15

Aggravated Assault

10

Robbery

26

Motor Vehicle Theft

32

Sex Offenses

2

Arson

79

Drug Arrests

59

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (343)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

92%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
39,637
Gender Split
42% / 58%
Women / Men
First Generation
19%
Pell Grant Recipients
13%

Race & Ethnicity

White 59%
Black 3%
Hispanic 7%
Asian 14%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 10%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate83.1%
Freshman Retention92.0%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$60,838
10 Years$72,424

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Pride

Ice hockeyVolleyball

History & Fun Facts

  • History Purdue Northwest was established in 2016 when two Purdue system universities — Purdue University Calumet and Purdue University North Central — merged.
  • The campuses remained open when the war ended in 1945, offering for-credit college courses.
  • Both campuses became degree-offering institutions in 1946.
  • In April 2023, the school initially announced that Keon would serve out the rest of his term until June 2024, despite calls for his resignation.
  • Keon was ultimately replaced when, in December 2023, the Purdue Board of Trustees accepted university president Mung Chiang's recommendation to appoint Dr.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

97Average

Estimated from IN state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Indianapolispop. 880K
61 mi(106 min)
Chicagopop. 2.7M
107 mi(185 min)
Milwaukeepop. 570K
187 mi(324 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

IND Indianapolis59 mi
ORD Chicago O'Hare119 mi
CVG Cincinnati153 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA831 mi · ~24h drive
New York, NY677 mi · ~19h 33m drive
Hartford, CT746 mi · ~21h 33m drive
Providence, RI811 mi · ~23h 26m drive
Albany, NY697 mi · ~20h 8m drive
Syracuse, NY583 mi · ~16h 51m drive
Rochester, NY515 mi · ~14h 53m drive
Buffalo, NY448 mi · ~12h 57m drive
Philadelphia, PA621 mi · ~17h 56m drive
Pittsburgh, PA364 mi · ~10h 31m drive
Harrisburg, PA528 mi · ~15h 15m drive
Newark, NJ668 mi · ~19h 18m drive
Washington, DC535 mi · ~15h 27m drive
Baltimore, MD552 mi · ~15h 57m drive
Atlanta, GA482 mi · ~13h 55m drive
Charlotte, NC489 mi · ~14h 8m drive
Raleigh, NC552 mi · ~15h 57m drive
Miami, FL1085 mi · ~31h 21m drive
Orlando, FL879 mi · ~25h 24m drive
Tampa, FL899 mi · ~25h 58m drive
Nashville, TN295 mi · ~8h 31m drive
New Orleans, LA745 mi · ~21h 31m drive
Richmond, VA546 mi · ~15h 46m drive
Chicago, IL107 mi · ~3h 5m drive
Detroit, MI240 mi · ~6h 56m drive
Minneapolis, MN450 mi · ~13h drive
St. Louis, MO215 mi · ~6h 13m drive
Kansas City, MO417 mi · ~12h 3m drive
Indianapolis, IN61 mi · ~1h 46m drive
Columbus, OH209 mi · ~6h 2m drive
Cleveland, OH282 mi · ~8h 9m drive
Milwaukee, WI187 mi · ~5h 24m drive
Dallas, TX761 mi · ~21h 59m drive
Houston, TX877 mi · ~25h 20m drive
Austin, TX929 mi · ~26h 50m drive
San Antonio, TX1002 mi · ~28h 57m drive
Los Angeles, CA1769 mi · ~51h 6m drive
San Francisco, CA1900 mi · ~54h 53m drive
San Diego, CA1751 mi · ~50h 35m drive
Seattle, WA1811 mi · ~52h 19m drive
Portland, OR1826 mi · ~52h 45m drive
Denver, CO955 mi · ~27h 35m drive
Phoenix, AZ1465 mi · ~42h 19m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1306 mi · ~37h 44m drive
Honolulu, HI4294 mi · ~124h 3m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

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