About

About Purdue University-Main Campus

engineering focusedboilermaker research universitypublic flagship indianastrong stem programsco-op programs

Purdue University-Main Campus is a public research university in West Lafayette, IN, known for its engineering focused, boilermaker research university, and public flagship indiana. With an acceptance rate of 53%, Purdue University is moderately selective, typically enrolling around 9,447 students each year. Admitted students typically score between 1200–1470 on the SAT and 27–34 on the ACT. Purdue University offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $8,508 per year; the sticker price of $41,614 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

Purdue University-Main Campus acceptance rate and admitted student profile

moderately selective

53%
Overall Accept Rate
3.50
Typical Admitted GPA
1335
Median Admitted SAT
SATSubmitted score range: 1200 – 1470

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Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Purdue University-Main Campus

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Essay Strategy
Purdue weighs essays seriously and expects you to articulate a clear, specific reason for choosing your intended major, so write about concrete experiences that led you to that field rather than vague interests. If you are applying to the College of Engineering or Polytechnic Institute, connect your story to hands on projects, competitions, or coursework that demonstrates real technical curiosity.
Demonstrated Interest
Purdue places low weight on demonstrated interest, so you do not need to stress about visiting campus or attending info sessions to improve your odds. Instead, put that energy into polishing your essays and making sure your activities list clearly reflects your technical or academic strengths.

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Financial Aid & Cost

What Purdue University-Main Campus actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Family IncomeSticker PriceEst. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$42k/yr$5.1k
30k-48k~$42k/yr$6.2k
48k-75k~$42k/yr$9.4k
75k-110k~$42k/yr$18.2k
110k+~$42k/yr$22.7k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

83%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$61k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
13:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
37,891
Undergrad Enrollment
Purdue University-Main Campus Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch