Explore alternatives based on outcomes, location, cost, and admission difficulty
Given Purdue's 50.3% acceptance rate and strong academic profile, students should consider backup options that provide similar technical education with different admission profiles or costs.
These schools offer higher acceptance rates while delivering comparable career outcomes.
For similar STEM outcomes with better admission odds, consider Butler University (85.9% acceptance, $77,235 median earnings) located 57 miles away in Indianapolis. Valparaiso University admits 92.2% of applicants while producing graduates earning $63,191, offering much more accessible admission. Wabash College (62.8% acceptance, $69,952 earnings) provides 27 miles proximity with higher acceptance rates and comparable outcomes in a smaller college setting.
Strong options in the same region with comparable academic profiles.
Students wanting to remain in the Midwest should consider University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (43.7% acceptance, $81,054 earnings) 73 miles away for potentially stronger outcomes with similar selectivity. Indiana University-Bloomington offers in-state alternatives with 80.4% acceptance and $63,742 earnings, located 90 miles south. DePauw University provides liberal arts alternatives 54 miles away with 54.1% acceptance and $70,527 earnings.
Elite universities with similar prestige and academic caliber
