Logo of Purdue University

Purdue University

West Lafayette, United States Founded 1869 World Rank #107

Overview

Acronyms: PU
Founded: 1869
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
World Rank: #107
Rank in United States: #30
Motto: Education, Research, Service
Colours: Old gold and black
Mascot: Boilermaker Special Purdue Pete
Purdue University institutional building
1 / 2

Established in 1869, the Purdue University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large town of West Lafayette (population range of 10,000-49,999 inhabitants), Indiana.

Officially accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Purdue University (PU) is a very large-sized coeducational US higher education institution. Purdue University (PU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

This 154-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 60-69% making this US higher education organization a moderately selective institution.

International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.

PU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Planning a visit to Purdue University or following up with admissions? Location and contact details are listed below. Admissions email typically replies within 5–10 business days during peak season.

Address: 1088 Freehafer Hall
Postal Code: 47907-2040
Phone: +1 (765) 494 4600
Fax: +1 (765) 494 0544
Social Media:

Academic Details

Academic statistics for Purdue University — including its student body and academic staff numbers. Read these alongside rankings; institution scale changes how rankings should be interpreted.

Total Students: 30,828
Student Enrollment: 0
Academic Staff Range: 1,500-1,999
Campus Setting: Urban
Memberships & Networks
Purdue University System (PUS) Association of American Universities (AAU) Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) Midwest Universities Consortium for International Activities (MUCIA) National Athletic Association (NAA) National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Academic Structures

Purdue University's internal academic units — faculties, schools, and institutes — are grouped below. The breakdown helps when navigating departmental websites and specific contact points.

Unit 11 items
  • College of Agriculture
  • College of Consumer and Family Sciences
  • College of Education
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Liberal Arts
  • College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Health Sciences
  • College of Science
  • College of Technology
  • Graduate School
  • Krannert School of Management
  • School of Veterinary Medicine

Programs Offered

The full set of programmes Purdue University offers is searchable and grouped by level below. Some programmes accept rolling applications; others run on annual cycles — check before applying.

Bachelor's Degree

33 programmes

At undergraduate level, Purdue University offers 33 programmes. These bachelor's degrees typically open both direct employment pathways and routes into postgraduate specialisation.

Natural Resources Conservation and Research Forestry & Natural Resources
Communication and Media Studies Communication Studies
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication Media Studies & Mass Media
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Information Science/Studies Information Systems & Technology
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications Information Systems & Technology
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management Information Systems & Technology
Educational Administration and Supervision Educational Leadership
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Non-Professional Legal Studies Law
Legal Support Services Law
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
Behavioral Sciences Liberal Arts
Sustainability Studies Liberal Arts
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Psychology, General Psychology
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Clinical Psychology
Criminal Justice and Corrections Criminal Law & Justice
Fire Protection Emergency & Disaster Management
Homeland Security Criminal Law & Justice
Human Services, General Public Administration
Social Work Social Work
Air Transportation Aviation Studies
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Health Sciences
Health and Medical Administrative Services Healthcare Administration
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions Counselling & Psychotherapy
Public Health Public Health
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services Nutrition & Dietetics
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Finance and Financial Management Services Finance, Banking & Insurance
Human Resources Management and Services Human Resource Management

Master's Degree

24 programmes

At postgraduate taught level, Purdue University runs 24 programmes. These master's degrees suit applicants ready to concentrate on a narrower field than their bachelor's covered.

Natural Resources Conservation and Research Forestry & Natural Resources
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management Information Systems & Technology
Educational Administration and Supervision Educational Leadership
Educational/Instructional Media Design Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Non-Professional Legal Studies Law
Legal Support Services Law
Behavioral Sciences Liberal Arts
Data Analytics Liberal Arts
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Psychology, General Psychology
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Clinical Psychology
Criminal Justice and Corrections Criminal Law & Justice
Fire Protection Emergency & Disaster Management
Human Services, General Public Administration
Public Administration Public Administration
Health and Medical Administrative Services Healthcare Administration
Public Health Public Health
Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities Health Sciences
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Finance and Financial Management Services Finance, Banking & Insurance

Professional Doctorate

5 programmes

At the highest level, Purdue University runs 5 programmes. These doctoral programmes are built around a sustained research project rather than taught coursework.

Educational Administration and Supervision Educational Leadership
Law Law
Legal Professions and Studies, Other Law
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other Health Sciences

Doctorate

1 programme

At the highest level, Purdue University runs 1 programme. These doctoral programmes are built around a sustained research project rather than taught coursework.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing

Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications

89 programmes

This group collects Purdue University's 89 programmes of certificates, diplomas, and foundation or associate programmes — practical entry points or stepping stones toward a degree.

Radio, Television, and Digital Communication Media Studies & Mass Media
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Public Relations
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Computer Programming Computer Sciences
Computer Programming Computer Sciences
Data Processing Data Science & Analytics
Information Science/Studies Information Systems & Technology
Computer Software and Media Applications Digital Media & Game Development
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications Information Systems & Technology
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management Information Systems & Technology
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management Information Systems & Technology
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management Information Systems & Technology
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other Computer Sciences
Educational/Instructional Media Design Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Operations Research General Engineering
Legal Support Services Law
Legal Support Services Law
Legal Support Services Law
Legal Professions and Studies, Other Law
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
Behavioral Sciences Liberal Arts
International/Globalization Studies Liberal Arts
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies Liberal Arts
Data Analytics Liberal Arts
Data Analytics Liberal Arts
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Research and Experimental Psychology Psychology
Research and Experimental Psychology Psychology
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Clinical Psychology
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Clinical Psychology
Criminal Justice and Corrections Criminal Law & Justice
Criminal Justice and Corrections Criminal Law & Justice
Criminal Justice and Corrections Criminal Law & Justice
Fire Protection Emergency & Disaster Management
Human Services, General Public Administration
Human Services, General Public Administration
Social Sciences, General Social & Cultural Studies
Criminology Social & Cultural Studies
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Health Sciences
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Health Sciences
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Health Sciences
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions Dentistry
Health and Medical Administrative Services Healthcare Administration
Health and Medical Administrative Services Healthcare Administration
Health and Medical Administrative Services Healthcare Administration
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Health Sciences
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Health Sciences
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions Counselling & Psychotherapy
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions Counselling & Psychotherapy
Public Health Public Health
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services Nutrition & Dietetics
Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities Health Sciences
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other Health Sciences
Business/Commerce, General Business Administration
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services Business Administration
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Entrepreneurship
Human Resources Management and Services Human Resource Management
International Business International Business
Marketing Advertising & Digital Marketing
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations Business Administration
Agricultural engineering – Purdue University
Agricultural systems management – Purdue University
Agronomy – Purdue University
American Studies – Purdue University
Animal sciences – Purdue University
Animation and Visual Effects – Purdue University
Anthropology – Purdue University
Aquatic sciences – Purdue University
Artificial Intelligence – Purdue University
Artificial Intelligence (College of Science) – Purdue University
Accounting – Purdue University
Actuarial Science – Purdue University
Aeronautical and astronautical engineering – Purdue University
Aeronautical Engineering Technology – Purdue University
African American Studies – Purdue University
Agribusiness – Purdue University
Agricultural economics – Purdue University
Agricultural Education Major | Purdue University

How to apply to Purdue University

A practical five-step guide to applying to Purdue University, from programme research through submission and follow-up.

  1. 1
    Identify the right programme

    Use the programme finder to browse Purdue University's 152 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.

  2. 2
    Check entry requirements

    Programme-level requirements at Purdue University typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.

  3. 3
    Prepare your application documents

    Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.

  4. 4
    Submit via the institution

    Purdue University processes applications through www.purdue.edu. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.

  5. 5
    Get in touch with admissions

    Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (765) 494 4600. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.

Frequently Asked Questions about Purdue University

Quick reference for Purdue University: founding, control type, student body, rankings, and recognition status in one place.

When was Purdue University founded?

Purdue University was established in 1869 (approximately 157 years ago).

What city is Purdue University in?

Purdue University operates from West Lafayette, United States.

Is Purdue University a public or private institution?

Purdue University is a public institution.

How big is Purdue University's student body?

Purdue University serves approximately over-50,000 students.

Where does Purdue University stand in university rankings?

It ranks #107 globally and #30 in United States.

How many faculties does Purdue University have?

Purdue University has 11 academic units.

Who recognises Purdue University?

Purdue University is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.

What is Purdue University's official website?

You can find Purdue University online at www.purdue.edu.

Top-Ranked Universities in the United States

Top the United States universities often run international branch campuses. Purdue University's international footprint compared to this benchmark signals global engagement scale.

Members of Association of American Universities (AAU)

Member institutions of Association of American Universities (AAU) often have reciprocity arrangements on accreditation — degrees from one member institution typically face fewer credential-recognition issues at others.

Faculties at Nearby Universities

If you're weighing Purdue University against other institutions in the area, these neighbouring universities offer overlapping faculties and similar admissions cycles. They are useful for shortlisting based on travel distance or campus environment.

Where Else to Study Liberal Arts

Foreign-language teaching requirements for Liberal Arts programmes vary across the United States. Some run entirely in the national language; others offer English-medium delivery for international students.

Universities Often Compared with Purdue University

Students considering Purdue University frequently compare it against the universities listed below. The comparison set reflects revealed-preference data from how applicants actually build shortlists.

Explore More Universities in United States

Free calculators and converters to plan your study-abroad journey.

Latest Articles

Fresh guides and advice for studying abroad.

View all →
System Share
Copy Link
More Share Options