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Public, 4-Year
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University-Main Campus

Explore one of the most distinguished institutions in IN. Your pathway to a brighter future begins here.

Annual Tuition

$9,992

Average Sticker Price

Admission Rate

50.3%

Selectivity Level

Graduation Rate

83.1%

Completion Success

Median Earnings

$72,424

10y Career Outlook

About Institution

Purdue University-Main Campus is a distinguished Public, 4-Year institution located in West Lafayette, IN. With a competitive tuition profile of $9,992, it remains an attractive choice for ambitious students. A strong graduation rate of 83.1% underscores its academic rigor and effective student support systems.

Admissions Intel

SAT Score Range

Reading & Writing590 – 710
20025th–75th percentile800
Math600 – 750
20025th–75th percentile800

ACT Score Range

Composite27 – 34
125th–75th percentile36

Acceptance Rate

50.3%

Transfer-Out Rate0.0%

What You Need to Apply

Application requirements for Purdue University-Main Campus

Test-Optional$60 Fee (waiver available)Common App

GPA: 3.5 – 3.9 (unweighted mid-50%)

2 Essays Required

Common App personal essay + Purdue-specific short-answer questions.

Recommendation Letters Optional (up to 2)

Optional, accepted to strengthen application

Required Documents

  • • Common App
  • • High school transcript
  • • 2 essays
  • • SAT/ACT (optional)

Key Deadlines

Early Action

November 1, 2025

Regular Decision

January 15, 2026

EA priority for competitive majors and merit scholarships

Financial Aid Priority Deadline

December 1, 2025

File FAFSA by this date to maximize aid eligibility.

Important

EA applicants get priority for competitive majors and automatic merit scholarship consideration.

Apply on Common App

Last verified: April 12, 2026. Source: Purdue Admissions. Always verify requirements directly with Purdue University-Main Campus before applying.

Investment Return

Estimated College ROI Analysis

Total 4-Year Cost

$39,968

Based on sticker tuition

Estimated Payback

0.9 yrs

Time to recoup investment

Annual Earnings Boost

+$42,424

vs. $30k HS diploma baseline

10-Year Net Gain

+$384,272

Cumulative earnings advantage minus total college cost

20-Year Net Gain

+$808,512

Long-term projected return on your education investment

ROI estimates use the BLS national median of $30,000/yr for high school diploma holders as a baseline. Actual results vary based on major, career path, location, and individual circumstances. Median graduate debt at Purdue University-Main Campus is $19,500.

Student Community

Gender Balance

Women
Men
42.5%
57.5%
FemininityMasculinity

Ethnic Diversity

White
59.1%
Asian
14.0%
International
10.2%
Hispanic
7.3%
Two or more
5.2%
Black
2.6%
Unknown
1.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0.1%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0.0%

Security Audit

Safety Rating: 3-Year Aggregate

Incidents

0

Burglary

0

Theft

0

Assault

0

Robbery

0

Rape

0

Arson

0

Murder

0

Financial Outlook

Total Sticker Price

$9,992

Estimated cost before aid.

Net Price By Income

$0 - $30k$4,927
$30k - $48k$5,925
$48k - $75k$8,948
$75k+$18,919

Debt & Financial Aid

Median Debt (grads)$19,500
Pell Grant Recipients13.0%
Using Federal Loans23.2%
Historical 3yr Loan Repayment78.1%

Repayment measured in 2016–17; this federal measure was discontinued.

* Most students receive significant grants and scholarships, reducing the actual cost. Grant data from IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey.

Quick Overview

Faculty Ratio

N/A

Retention

92.0%

Success

83.1%

In-State Cost

$9,992

Age 25+ Students

2.7%

Carnegie Class

R1: Doctoral — Very High Research

Working at 6yr

5,461 students

Security Benchmark

Campus vs. City Comparison (Per 100k)

Violent Offenses

PER 100K
On-Campus0.0
West Lafayette (City-wide)0.0

Property Crimes

PER 100K
On-Campus0.0
West Lafayette (City-wide)0.0

Stats sourced from institutional reports and municipal data. These rates provide a standardized baseline for comparing safety across different environments.

Living In West Lafayette

Off-Campus Market Estimator

Current Fair Market Rents
🏠

Studio

$778

Monthly Average

🏢

1 Bedroom

$908

Monthly Average

🏘️

2 Bedrooms

$1,069

Monthly Average

🏢

3 Bedrooms

$

Monthly Average

Data provided by HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR). These estimates assist with financial planning for off-campus housing in the West Lafayette metropolitan area.