Purdue combines moderately selective admissions with excellent mobility outcomes, ranking in the 94.8th percentile nationally. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university delivers strong post-graduation earnings while maintaining manageable debt levels below peer institutions.
With well above average performance, driven by strong earnings relative to educational costs
With above average performance, reflecting controlled costs and moderate debt levels
With well above average performance, indicating solid but not exceptional enrollment of underserved students
With excellent tier status, reflecting the university's ability to generate strong economic outcomes
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisPurdue delivers strong return on investment through a combination of solid earnings outcomes and controlled debt levels. Graduates earn a median of $72,424 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 88th percentile nationally and exceeding the peer median by $11,881.
Earnings range from $47,140 at the 25th percentile to $103,038 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across disciplines. Median student debt remains manageable at $19,500, slightly below the peer median of $20,000, resulting in a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27.
Students seeking strong STEM programs at a moderately selective public university, particularly those interested in engineering, computer science, and mathematics. Well-suited for students who value excellent outcomes in technical fields with manageable debt levels, though the institution serves fewer low-income students than typical public universities.
Purdue University admits approximately 50.3% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 2 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Purdue in the moderately selective category, making it more accessible than highly competitive research universities while maintaining academic standards above typical public institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% highlights that Purdue is significantly more selective than similar large public universities, with an acceptance rate 27.8 percentage points lower than peer institutions. This level of selectivity means that students with strong academic credentials have reasonable admission prospects, though preparation and a well-rounded application remain important.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Purdue University's published cost of attendance reaches $22,567 per year for in-state students, including $9,992 in tuition, $11,650 for room and board, and $1,030 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face significantly higher tuition of $28,794.
However, the average student pays substantially less after financial aid, with a net price of $13,945 representing savings of $8,622 from the sticker price. This net price falls $1,645 below the peer median of $15,590, making Purdue more affordable than similar large public research universities.
The financial aid system creates progressive pricing across income levels, with the lowest-income students paying just $4,927 while the highest-income families pay $21,130. This $16,203 gap between lowest and highest income tiers demonstrates significant aid targeting toward students with the greatest financial need.
The combination of strong outcomes and controlled costs supports Purdue's value proposition for students seeking technical education.
Computer Science.
469 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
219 graduates
Industrial Engineering.
276 graduates
Actuarial Science.
128 graduates
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General.
252 graduates
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Wabash College Higher acceptance rate (12.5 percentage points higher) and located 27 miles away; similar graduate earnings | IN | 63% | $69,952 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Purdue University-Main Campus hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/purdue-university-main-campus/analysis.
Top-tier mobility performance
Purdue University-Main Campus demonstrates excellent performance in mobility outcomes, ranking #96 nationally in Azimuth's comprehensive analysis with a 94.2nd percentile score. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public research university admits 50.3% of applicants while delivering strong post-graduation results.
Purdue enrolls 13.0% Pell-eligible students and 18.5% first-generation students, placing it below typical public university levels for low-income access. The institution falls within the Selective Achievers quadrant, reflecting strong outcomes alongside more limited enrollment of students from lower-income backgrounds.
Despite lower Pell enrollment, graduates earn $72,424 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 88th percentile nationally. Purdue's test scores rank among the highest we track, with SAT scores ranging from 1190 to 1460 and ACT scores from 27 to 34, positioning the institution well above peer medians.
The moderately selective nature allows Purdue to maintain academic quality while serving a broader range of students than highly elite institutions. Students should treat Purdue as a target school if their academic credentials align with admitted student profiles, while also including schools with higher acceptance rates in their college lists.
The combination of moderate selectivity and strong outcomes makes Purdue attractive to students seeking quality technical education with realistic admission chances.
Purdue graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth across their early careers. Median earnings rise from $60,838 six years after enrollment to $66,951 at eight years and $72,424 at ten years, representing 19.0% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 7,640 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Low-income graduates earn $59,700, reflecting strong outcomes for this population despite lower overall enrollment levels.
Earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, with the gap between the 25th percentile ($47,140) and 75th percentile ($103,038) representing a 2.2:1 ratio. Approximately 26.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
The earnings trajectory reflects steady career progression typical of strong technical programs.
Purdue offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking. Computer Science ranks #47 nationally and #2 in Indiana, producing 469 graduates with median earnings of $116,601 and a value score of 74.9.
Industrial Engineering ranks #6 nationally and #1 in Indiana, graduating 276 students with median earnings of $92,621 and an exceptional value score of 92.9. Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology ranks #2 nationally and #1 in Indiana, with 273 graduates earning $75,842 and achieving the highest value score of 96.2.
Computer Engineering ranks #19 nationally and #2 in Indiana, producing 219 graduates with median earnings of $103,645. Aerospace Engineering ranks #8 nationally and #1 in Indiana, graduating 252 students with median earnings of $91,645.
Mathematical Statistics and Probability ranks #4 nationally and #1 in Indiana, demonstrating Purdue's exceptional strength across STEM disciplines.
Butler University Higher acceptance rate (35.6 percentage points higher) and located 57 miles away; similar graduate earnings | IN | 86% | $77,235 | Compare |
Valparaiso University Higher acceptance rate (41.9 percentage points higher) and located 72 miles away; similar graduate earnings | IN | 92% | $63,191 | Compare |
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology Higher acceptance rate (35 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | SD | 85% | $72,257 | Compare |
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina Higher acceptance rate (47.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | SC | 98% | $72,085 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte Similar quality tier (#92 ranked) | NC | 80% | $57,289 | #92 | Compare |
University Of Nevada-Las Vegas Similar quality tier (#98 ranked) | NV | 96% | $55,037 | #98 | Compare |
University Of California-Santa Cruz Similar quality tier (#99 ranked) | CA | 63% | $68,396 | #99 | Compare |
Binghamton University Similar quality tier (#91 ranked) | NY | 38% | $80,596 | #91 | Compare |
University At Buffalo Similar quality tier (#89 ranked) | NY | 69% | $70,814 | #89 | Compare |
