This article contains precise information about the acceptance rate at Purdue University, its application process, and requirements for first-year and transfer admissions.
Purdue University is one of the earliest research institutions in the United States beginning in the 1800s. It began as a small college of science, agriculture, and technology, but is today one of the top American public universities.
In the last few years, the number of applications received at Purdue University has exceeded the 50,000 mark. Those who submitted their applications to Purdue were high schoolers from across the United States and more than 120 countries.
Who gets into Purdue University during admission and what are the academic qualification an applicant is expected to present during admission?
Let’s find out about that and more in this guide.
About Purdue University
Purdue University is a public research institution in West Lafayette, Indiana. The establishment of Purdue University traces back to 1869 when the Indiana General Assembly chose the Lafayette neighbourhood as the site for a new institution.
Lafayette businessman John Purdue donated $150,000 to the Indiana Legislature and land donations were made as well for the establishment of Purdue University.
Purdue University offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering, liberal arts, medicine, and health and human sciences.
Its campuses are located in Northwest and Fort Wayne all in the state of Indiana. Purdue Global offers over 175 online programs, where students can obtain associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees and certificates.
List of Colleges and Schools at Purdue University
Purdue University offers its undergraduate and graduate degree programs through the 13 colleges and schools listed below.
- College of Agriculture
- College of Education
- College of Engineering
- Exploration Studies
- College of Health and Human Sciences
- College of Liberal Arts
- Krannert School of Management
- College of Pharmacy
- Purdue Polytechnic Institute
- College of Science
- College Veterinary Medicine
- Honors College
- The Graduate School
Purdue University Rankings
According to U.S. News & World Report, Purdue University is ranked #51 in National Universities, #18 in Top Public Schools, and #81 in Best Value Schools.
Purdue University is also ranked #99 in the top 100 universities in the world by QS World University Rankings.
Times Higher Education ranked Purdue #127 in World University Rankings.
Student Life at Purdue University
Purdue University has the perfect environment for a memorable college life. The university housing system accommodates a large number of students and it also provides a conducive environment for learning.
There are student organizations and activities on campus for students to participate in. Purdue University has one of the largest Fraternity, Sorority, and Cooperative communities in America, existing for over 100 years.
Purdue University prioritizes students’ health and well-being and hence they provide student support and health services.
What Is the Acceptance Rate at Purdue University?
Purdue University has over the year seen an increase in the number of applications received annually. The overall application for the Class of 2024 was 57,279 and it increased to 59,173 in the 2021-2022 admission year.
The acceptance rate at Purdue University in the last two admission cycles was 67% and 60% respectively. Applicants who benefited from the 67% acceptance rate at Purdue University were mostly residents of Indiana.
During the last admission cycle, about 4,647 Indiana students were admitted into the next graduating class. Out-of-state applicants also took a fair share in the admission process for a place in the current freshman class.
Also Read: Indiana University Bloomington: Admissions, Ranking, Requirements
Purdue University Computer Science Acceptance Rate
There are two things you could mean by “Purdue University computer science acceptance rate” – the rate of applicants to admitted students, and the rate of admitted students to those who accepted the Purdue University computer science admission offer.
The rate of applicants to admitted students is a bit difficult to determine, but it’s approximately 30-35%.
The rate of admitted students to students who accept their admission in computer science is 25%
GPA Requirement
The high school GPA required at Purdue is 3.69 on average. The latest freshman class of 2025 had a middle 50% GPA of 3.5-3.9.
SAT and ACT Requirements
The middle 50% SAT score of the freshman for the next graduating class is 1190-1410 (on the 1600 scale). The average SAT at Purdue is 1315.
Below are the stats for SAT scores by section.
| SAT | Score Range |
| Math | 600-750 |
| Critical Reading | 590-690 |
| Composite | 1190-1440 |
Also Read: Best Schools for Biomedical Engineering
Freshman ACT Composite Middle 50%: 26-33.
| ACT | Score Range |
| Math | 26-33 |
| English | 24-34 |
| Composite | 25-32 |
What Are The Requirements For First-Year Application at Purdue University?
Those considered freshman applicants are students who have completed high school and obtained a diploma or GED. First-year applicants to Purdue must submit essential academic material as proof of graduating from high school.
Here are things to know before applying to Purdue University.
Completes the Application
The application process to Purdue includes;
- The application
- Purdue-specific questions from the application itself
- Self-reported grades from high school
- Self-reported SAT and ACT test scores
- Proof of English proficiency (for international applicants from countries where English is not an official language)
- The application fee or a fee waiver. Applicants applying via the Common Application are required to provide a personal essay and respond to the Purdue-specific questions.
- Purdue University accepts SAT and ACT scores and you can self-report your test scores. Purdue University’s school code for SAT is 1631 and 1230 for the ACT.
Meet the Minimum Requirement for Admission
Purdue University strongly recommends that you meet these minimum high school requirements.
- Mathematics– minimum of 8 semesters
- English- a minimum of 8 semesters
- Lab science– minimum of 6 semesters (applicants applying for engineering). Additionally, applicants applying for pharmacy, nursing, and veterinary nursing must have two semesters of chemistry and two semesters of biology
- Social studies– minimum of 6 semesters
- World language– minimum of 4 semesters
When will Purdue Release Admission Decision?
If you applied to Purdue University in the fall term and you meet the November 1st Early Action deadline, you should expect your decision by January 15th.
Those who meet the January 15th Regular Decision deadline should expect admission decision by March 31st.
Also Read: Top 10 Low-Cost Universities in London for International Students
What Is The Acceptance Rate for International Students at Purdue University?
Purdue University receives thousands of applications from international applicants each year during its admission cycle. Admission statistics at Purdue show that over 100 countries were represented in the last application.
On average, Purdue University admits about 9,000 international applicants yearly, with an acceptance rate estimated at 58%.
Application Requirements for International Students
You are an international freshman applicant if you have graduated from a secondary/high school with all your documents available for application.
Here are the requirements for admission for international students.
Application Options
Purdue University accepts the Common Application and all international applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee is $60.
Secondary/High School Grades
During the submission of your application through the Common Application, you will be provided with two options.
- Self-reported transcript and
- Uploaded original or attested copies of all transcripts, mark sheets, diplomas, and certificates.
All international applicants who intend to enrol at Purdue University are required to provide official transcripts.
During your application via the Common Application, if you are unable to upload transcripts, mark sheets, certificates, and diplomas, they can be mailed to Purdue University.
The documents must be sealed and mailed to Purdue by the secondary or university attended or from an examination board.
Purdue University Mailing Address
Purdue University International Undergraduate Admission 475 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 U.S.A.
Please note that Purdue University requires 3 consecutive years of completed coursework in your secondary school documents in other to evaluate your application.
Below is the required average for high school coursework.
- Mathematics- minimum of 8 semesters
- English- minimum of 8 semesters
- Social studies- minimum of 6 semesters
- Lab science- minimum of 6 semesters (engineering applicants must have 2 chemistry semesters
Official Standardized (SAT/ACT) Test Scores
Purdue University strongly recommends SAT or ACT scores (with writing) for international students. If you submit impressive test scores on the SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, SAT Critical Reading, or ACT English, you may be exempted from submitting more scores.
English Proficiency Testing
All international applicants from countries where English is not an official language are required to submit test scores.
As an international applicant, you can demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting any of these official test scores.
- TOEFL iBT- minimum score of 80 or above for applicants applying to the College of Agriculture, Education, Health & Human Science, Liberal Arts, Pharmacy, Exploratory Studies and Purdue Polytechnic Institute.
- TOEFL iBT– a minimum score of 88 for applicants applying to the College of Engineering, Science and Krannert School of Management.
- IELTS- minimum of 6.5 or above as an overall score for all applicants. With 6.0 as the least expected score in each section.
Submit your test scores to Purdue University- Office of International Students and Scholars.
- SAT Code: 1631
- The average score for SAT Reading Test is 33 or above
- The average score for SAT Critical Reading- top 15 percentile
- ACT Code: 1230
- The average score for ACT (English)- 28 or above
British Ordinary Level English Language Examination
- GSCE/GCE/IGCSE- minimum grade of A or B in First Language English.
Also Read: UCSD Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements
Recommendation Letter
Although a letter of recommendation is not required for admission, they are strongly encouraged by Purdue. A letter of recommendation can play a major role to assist students who are eligible for scholarships or those applying to very selective programs.
Application Requirements for Transfer Students
You are eligible to transfer to Purdue University if you have;
- Graduated from a secondary/high school and earned coursework credits at a tertiary institution.
The application process and requirements are as follows.
Step 1. Select a Major
Before your application to Purdue University, you will need to decide on the program you intend to gain admission to and know the minimum requirements for your choice of major. Most majors at Purdue are restricted to transfer students.
Minimum Coursework and GPA Requirements
There are over 200 programs at Purdue University available for transfer admission. Visit the Purdue majors page to find out more about specific programs.
Step 2. Explore Transfer Pathways
Purdue University has several pathways within its transfer procedures. There are specific program agreements and guidelines for students who have been absent from academics.
Step 3. Transfer Requirements and Eligibility
Ensure you met these requirements before starting your application to Purdue.
Minimum Coursework and High School Requirements
All transfer applicants to Purdue must have completed the average high school requirement in other to be eligible for admission.
If your high school coursework does not meet the requirements of Purdue, you can compensate for the requirements with college-level coursework.
- A semester of 100-level college coursework is equivalent to 2 semesters of high school coursework.
Also Read: The New School Acceptance Rate, Admissions, SAT/ACT, Tuition
Minimum Coursework and College Credit
Before applying to Purdue University, you must have 12 completed credit hours of college coursework obtained at an accredited tertiary institution.
The admission committee at Purdue University may require the final grades of your current coursework to make a final decision on your admission status.
English Proficiency
Transfer students from countries where English is not an official language are required to submit English proficiency test scores.
For precise information on how to Purdue award transfer credit, visit the university’s official website via this link.
What Is the Acceptance Rate for Transfer Students at Purdue University?
Purdue University receives about 4,000 transfer applications annually on average. Purdue’s main campus in 2019 received 3,461 transfer applications and 1,414 of those applications were successful.
The acceptance rate for transfer students at Purdue University is approximately 40%.
Pursue University Tuition and Fees
Below is the estimated cost of attendance at Purdue University.
| INDIANA RESIDENT | NONRESIDENT | |
| Billed Expenses | ||
| TUITION/FEES+ | $9,992** | $28,794** |
| ROOM/BOARD | $10,030 | $10,030 |
| SUBTOTAL | $20,022 | $38,824 |
| Other Estimated Expenses | ||
| BOOKS/SUPPLIES | $1,010 | $1,010 |
| TRANSPORTATION | $250 | $250+ |
| MISCELLANEOUS | $1,530 | $1,530 |
| SUBTOTAL | $2,790 | $2,790 |
| ESTIMATED TOTAL | $22,812 | $41,614 |
Some Programs with additional tuition Fees at Purdue University
- Computer Science – $2,050
- Data Science – $2,050
- Engineering – $2,050
- Management – $1,436
- Purdue Polytechnic – $572
- Flight – Individual courses in this program have additional fees; please refer to the Bursar website or contact the department for specific flight course fees.
- Honors College – $200
Purdue University Contact Address
- School Address: 610 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
- Phone: +1 765-494-4600
Visit the official website of Purdue University for the latest news on academics, research, and upcoming events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are frequently asked questions regarding the acceptance rate at Purdue University.
What GPA do you need to get into Purdue University?
The average high school GPA requirement at Purdue is 3.69. To achieve this standard you will need a near-distinction academic record.
How hard is it to get into Purdue University?
The acceptance rate at Purdue University admits more than half of its overall applicants. The admit rate at Purdue admitted 67% of applicants who applied in the 2020-2021 admission year.
Is Purdue University an Ivy League?
Purdue University is not a member of the prestigious Ivy elites. However, Purdue is considered a prestigious public research institution.
Conclusion
Purdue University has come a long way since its establishment to become a well-recognized public research institution.
Purdue provides the opportunity to acquire an education, proving that distance is not a barrier to achieving academic excellence. We believe the information provided in this article has highlighted not just the acceptance rate at Purdue University but admissions as well.
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References
- U.S. News & World Report: Purdue University–West Lafayette
- Top Universities: Purdue University
- Times Higher Education: Purdue University West Lafayette
