Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana
How selective is it?
Purdue University is in our Selective tier (~30-50% acceptance). A solid academic fit matters, but admission isn't a reach for students in the typical range.
Third-party estimates ~50%, at the edge of two tiers.
Tiers are broad on purpose. Acceptance rates move every cycle, and many schools are more competitive for specific majors than the school overall, so use this as a starting point for your list, not a prediction.
How to use Purdue University in your college list
This is often a realistic target if your grades and course rigor match the school's typical entering class, which you can confirm in its Common Data Set. Popular majors, such as computer science, engineering, or nursing, can be harder to get into than the school-wide tier suggests.
Building a list across tiers? See all 11 Indiana colleges in our finder, or follow our guide to building a list by score and GPA.
What it's known for
Purdue University is widely recognized for strengths in the fields below. This reflects peer-assessment rankings and long-standing reputation, not a full list of programs.
Explore related majors: Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Civil Engineering, Data Science, Chemical Engineering, Information Technology.
Check the current numbers yourself
For Purdue University's current test-score and GPA ranges, acceptance rate, and cost, go to the source:
- Find its Common Data Set ↗ Section C has the middle 50% of scores and GPA. Our step-by-step guide shows how to read it.
- College Scorecard ↗ U.S. Department of Education data on cost, graduation, and outcomes.
- Net price calculator ↗ Estimate what your family would actually pay after aid.
- Find the official admissions page ↗ Deadlines, requirements, and how to apply.
Similar colleges to consider
Schools with a similar selectivity, in the same state, or known for the same fields. A balanced list usually mixes a few reaches, several realistic targets, and at least one or two safeties.
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL · Selective
- University of Maryland, College ParkCollege Park, MD · Selective
- University of WashingtonSeattle, WA · Selective
- Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlanta, GA · Highly Selective
- University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX · Highly Selective
- Rose-Hulman Institute of TechnologyTerre Haute, IN · Moderately Selective
Frequently asked questions
How selective is Purdue University?+
Purdue University sits in our "Selective" tier (~30-50% acceptance). Third-party estimates ~50%, at the edge of two tiers.
Is Purdue University hard to get into?+
A solid academic fit matters, but admission isn't a reach for students in the typical range. Selectivity varies by major and changes every admissions cycle, so treat the tier as a starting point and check Purdue University's own admissions data for the current year.
What is Purdue University known for?+
Purdue University is widely recognized for strengths in Engineering, Computer Science & IT. This reflects reputation and peer-assessment rankings, not a complete list of programs, so confirm that a specific major is offered and how competitive it is.
How do I find Purdue University's current SAT, ACT, and GPA ranges?+
Search "Purdue University Common Data Set" and open Section C, which lists the middle 50% of test scores and GPA for the entering class. Our guide "How to Build Your Own College List by Score and GPA" on this site walks through it step by step.
Where is Purdue University?+
Purdue University is a public institution in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Selectivity tiers and "known for" tags are general guidance compiled from public sources and may be out of date. MajorAtlas isn't affiliated with Purdue University. Always confirm details with the school.