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Purdue University-Main Campus

Purdue University-Main Campus is a public university in a small city in the Lafayette, IN metro with 39,864 students and a 50% acceptance rate.

West Lafayette, Indiana · Public · City, small · 39,864 students · R1 research university

NCAA Division I · Big TenEarly action Nov 1

Admission rate

50%

of applicants admitted

SAT average

1,364

combined, admitted students

ACT, middle half

27–34

25th to 75th percentile

Average net price

$14,600

per year, after grants

Graduation rate

83%

within 6 years

Freshman retention

92%

return for sophomore year

Median earnings

$72,424

10 years after entry

Students

39,864

total enrollment

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS) · data snapshot October 2, 2026 · Updated October 2, 2026

First-year deadlines, 2026–27

PlanDeadlineDecision by
Early action
Apply early, hear early, not binding.		November 1, 2026January 15, 2027
Regular decision
The standard deadline, with answers in spring. Not binding.		January 15, 2027March 31, 2027

Plans are listed in calendar order. What the plans mean

Source: admissions.purdue.edu · checked September 26, 2026

What families actually pay

Average yearly net price after grants, in-state students, by family income

$0–30,000$5,098
$30,001–48,000$6,241
$48,001–75,000$9,438
$75,001–110,000$18,177
Over $110,000$22,742

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard · data snapshot October 2, 2026

AP credit

Most-taken exams, lowest score that earns credit
ExamMin scorePurdue University-Main Campus courseCredits
Calculus AB3MA 15555
Calculus BC3MA 15555
Biology3BIOL 1XXXX
Chemistry3CHM 11100
Physics 13PHYS 1XXXX
English Language and Composition3ENGL 1XXXX
English Literature and Composition3ENGL 1XXXX
United States History3HIST 1XXXX
Show all 41 exams and every score level
ExamMin scoreCourseCredits
Calculus AB3MA 15555
Calculus AB4MA 16500
Calculus AB5MA 16500
Calculus BC3MA 15555
Calculus BC4MA 16500 and 16600
Calculus BC5MA 16500 and 16600
Biology3BIOL 1XXXX
Biology4BIOL 11000
Biology5BIOL 11000 and 11100
Chemistry3CHM 11100
Chemistry4CHM 11510, 11520, 11610 and 11620
Chemistry5CHM 11510, 11520, 11610 and 11620
Physics 13PHYS 1XXXX
Physics 14PHYS 1XXXX
Physics 15PHYS 22000
English Language and Composition3ENGL 1XXXX
English Language and Composition4ENGL 10600
English Language and Composition5ENGL 10600
English Literature and Composition3ENGL 1XXXX
English Literature and Composition4ENGL 23100
English Literature and Composition5ENGL 23100
United States History3HIST 1XXXX
United States History4HIST 15100 and 15200
United States History5HIST 15100 and 15200
Psychology3PSY 1XXXX
Psychology4PSY 12000
Psychology5PSY 12000
Statistics3STAT 1XXXX
Statistics4STAT 30100
Statistics5STAT 30100
Computer Science A3CS 1XXXX
Computer Science A4CS 17700
Computer Science A5CS 17700
Macroeconomics3ECON 2XXXX*
Macroeconomics4ECON 25200
Macroeconomics5ECON 25200
Microeconomics3ECON 2XXXX*
Microeconomics4ECON 25100
Microeconomics5ECON 25100
World History: Modern3HIST 1XXXX
World History: Modern4HIST 10500
World History: Modern5HIST 10500
Environmental Science3EAPS 1XXXX
Environmental Science4EAPS 12500
Environmental Science5EAPS 12500
Physics 23PHYS 1XXXX
Physics 24PHYS 1XXXX
Physics 25PHYS 21000
European History3HIST 1XXXX
European History4HIST 10400
European History5HIST 10400
Human Geography3EAPS 1XXXX
Human Geography4EAPS 12000
Human Geography5EAPS 12000
Spanish Language and Culture3SPAN 10100, 10200 and 20100
Spanish Language and Culture4SPAN 10100, 10200, 20100 and 20200
Spanish Language and Culture5SPAN 10100, 10200, 20100, 20200 and 30100
United States Government and Politics3POL 1XXXX
United States Government and Politics4POL 10100
United States Government and Politics5POL 10100
Computer Science Principles3CS 1XXXX
Computer Science Principles4CS 1XXXX
Computer Science Principles5CS 17700
Art History3A&D 1XXXX
Art History4A&D 1XXXX
Art History5A&D 1XXXX
Music Theory3MUSIC 1XXXX
Music Theory4MUSIC 1XXXX
Music Theory5MUSIC 1XXXX
2-D Art and Design3A&D 1XXXX
2-D Art and Design4A&D 1XXXX
2-D Art and Design5A&D 1XXXX
3-D Art and Design3A&D 1XXXX
3-D Art and Design4A&D 1XXXX
3-D Art and Design5A&D 1XXXX
African American Studies3AAS 1XUND
African American Studies4AAS 27100
African American Studies5AAS 27100
Calculus BC: AB Subscore3MA 15555
Calculus BC: AB Subscore4MA 16500
Calculus BC: AB Subscore5MA 16500
Chinese Language and Culture3CHNS 10100 and 10200
Chinese Language and Culture4CHNS 10100, 10200 and 20100
Chinese Language and Culture5CHNS 10100, 10200, 20100 and 20200
Comparative Government and Politics3POL 1XXXX
Comparative Government and Politics4POL 14100
Comparative Government and Politics5POL 14100
Drawing3A&D 1XXXX
Drawing4A&D 1XXXX
Drawing5A&D 1XXXX
French Language and Culture3FR 10100 and 10200
French Language and Culture4FR 10100, 10200 and 20100
French Language and Culture5FR 10100, 10200, 20100 and 20200
German Language and Culture3GER 10100, 10200, and 20100
German Language and Culture4GER 10100, 10200, 20100, and 20200
German Language and Culture5GER 10100, 10200, 20100, 20200, and 30100
Italian Language and Culture3ITAL 10100 and 10200
Italian Language and Culture4ITAL 10100, 10200 and 20100
Italian Language and Culture5ITAL 10100, 10200, 20100 and 20200
Japanese Language and Culture3JPNS 10100 and 10200
Japanese Language and Culture4JPNS 10100, 10200 and 20100
Japanese Language and Culture5JPNS 10100, 10200, 20100 and 20200
Latin3LATN 10100
Latin4LATN 10100 and 10200
Latin5LATN 10100, 10200 and 20100
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism3PHYS 1XXXX
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism4PHYS 1XXXX
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism5PHYS 27200
Physics C: Mechanics3PHYS 1XXXX
Physics C: Mechanics4PHYS 1XXXX
Physics C: Mechanics5PHYS 17200
Precalculus3MA 1XXXX
Precalculus4MA 15800
Precalculus5MA 15800
Research3UND 1XXXX
Research4UND 1XXXX
Research5UND 1XXXX
Seminar3UND 1XXXX
Seminar4UND 1XXXX
Seminar5UND 1XXXX
Spanish Literature and Culture3SPAN 1XXXX
Spanish Literature and Culture4SPAN 24100
Spanish Literature and Culture5SPAN 24100

Source: admissions.purdue.edu · checked September 19, 2026

Biggest majors

MajorGraduates
Computer Science532
Mechanical Engineering510
Experimental Psychology375
Computer Engineering370
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering323
Industrial Engineering257
Finance244
Mathematical Statistics and Probability216
Show the other 130 majors
Electrical and Electronics Engineering211
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse181
Biomedical Sciences178
Sociology170
Accounting166
Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians160
Civil Engineering155
Computer Graphics149
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering148
Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician148
Animal Sciences146
Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance144
Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology139
Chemical Engineering137
Political Science and Government136
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics135
Marketing/Marketing Management127
Speech Communication and Rhetoric120
Business Administration and Management106
Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician104
Elementary Education and Teaching101
Information Technology100
Biology/Biological Sciences98
Agricultural Business and Management98
Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist98
Selling Skills and Sales Operations93
Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician93
Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew93
Chemistry89
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other87
Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology80
Agricultural Engineering78
Hotel/Motel Administration/Management74
Human Development and Family Studies72
Actuarial Science71
Mathematics64
Materials Engineering62
Manufacturing Engineering Technology/Technician61
Organizational Leadership61
Pharmaceutics and Drug Design59
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering59
English Language and Literature53
Public Health52
Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management52
History51
Physics45
Industrial Technology/Technician44
Dietetics/Dietitian43
Biochemistry43
Natural Resources/Conservation41
Engineering/Industrial Management41
Neurobiology and Anatomy40
Geology/Earth Science40
Engineering, Other37
Construction Engineering35
Genetics33
Financial Planning and Services32
Film/Cinema/Media Studies31
Nuclear Engineering31
Design and Visual Communications29
Hispanic and Latin American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics29
Agricultural Mechanization28
Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant27
Anthropology27
Creative Writing26
Agricultural Economics25
Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture25
Social Studies Teacher Education25
Consumer Merchandising/Retailing Management24
Food Science23
Philosophy21
Biological and Physical Sciences20
Interior Design20
Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology19
Horticultural Science17
Landscape Architecture17
Botany/Plant Biology16
Education16
Women's Studies16
Agricultural Teacher Education16
Applied Mathematics16
Early Childhood Education and Teaching15
Agricultural Communication/Journalism15
Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist15
Industrial and Product Design15
Agriculture14
Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing14
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology14
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other13
Entomology13
Linguistics12
Fine/Studio Arts12
Forestry11
Special Education and Teaching, Other11
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other11
Plant Genetics10
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology10
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts10
Farm/Farm and Ranch Management10
Engineering Technologies/Technicians9
Japanese Language and Literature9
Microbiology and Immunology9
Nutrition Sciences9
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology9
Health and Wellness8
Art History, Criticism and Conservation8
Art Teacher Education7
Technology Teacher Education/Industrial Arts Teacher Education7
French Language and Literature7
Humanities/Humanistic Studies7
Mathematics and Computer Science7
Music6
Ancient Studies/Civilization6
Asian Studies/Civilization6
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences4
Financial Mathematics4
Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology4
Acting4
Health/Medical Physics4
Turf and Turfgrass Management3
American/United States Studies/Civilization2
Comparative Literature2
Management Science1
Public Health Education and Promotion1
Environmental Health1
Religion/Religious Studies1
German Language and Literature1
Artificial Intelligence1
Communication1
African-American/Black Studies1

Bachelor’s graduates, first major, most recent year · Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Ranked programs

Where Purdue University-Main Campus ranks in the top 25 on our top-programs lists, best rank first. How we rank programs

Show the other 13 ranked programs

Scholarships

Amounts and eligibility change; check the college’s page for current details.

Sports and campus life

Men’s varsity · NCAA Division I, Big Ten

Baseball, Basketball, Football, Golf, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Wrestling

Women’s varsity · NCAA Division I, Big Ten

Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Volleyball

ROTC

Air Force, Army, Navy

Faith groups

BYX, Cru, Hillel, InterVarsity, Newman Connection, Ratio Christi

Also

Honors college, Study abroad

Greek life

15% of men in fraternities · 17% of women in sororities · 16% of undergraduates overall (Common Data Set 2022–23)

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education athletics data (EADA), Common Data Set (Greek life), hillel.org · checked September 4, 2026 · data snapshot October 2, 2026

The place

Setting

City, small

Federal locale classification

Metro area

Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN

229,701 people

Big-city metro (1 million+)

No

More about the place

Nearest airport

Indianapolis International (IND)

Nearest hub airport

Indianapolis International (IND)

Walkability

EPA walkability index 16.7 of 20

Elevation

623 ft

Time zone

Eastern

January low

18°F

July high

84°F

Annual snowfall

18.9 in

Days at 90°F or higher

20 per year

One-bedroom fair market rent

$1,080 per month

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS locale), U.S. Census metro estimates, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, EPA walkability · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Colleges nearby

Straight-line distance between campuses

Similar colleges

Public, city campus, NCAA Division I, similar size