Purdue University was founded as a public, land-grant university that has now become one of the top universities in the US. It’s ranked as one of the best engineering schools offering comprehensive engineering programs. However, despite having several points of prominence, prospective students getting to know the school wonder if Purdue is a good school for their educational goals.
To find answers to this question, students often look for Purdue University reviews from alumni. Another good source to evaluate the worth of this research institute is checking Purdue University rankings. They provide a reflection of key performance indicators that help students decide whether the university is worth it or not.
In this article, we explore if Purdue is a good school, whether Purdue is Ivy League level, and what Purdue is known for. Read on to learn more about Purdue University.
Purdue Profile
- Campus Location(s): West Lafayette, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Hammond, Westville, Anderson, Columbus, Kokomo, New Albany, Richmond, South Bend, Vincennes
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Annual Undergraduate Tuition: $9,992 (in state), $28,794 (out of state)
- Annual Graduate Tuition: $9,718 (in state), $28,520 (out of state)
Purdue University is a public institution founded in 1869 under the Morrill Act of 1862. It’s named after the merchant, John Purdue, who funded the initial establishment of the university. This public research institution has grown its exceptional research facilities and study programs significantly since its establishment.
It offers certificate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in various fields of study. The total number of students is 50,344, out of which over 42 percent are female students. Male students represent 58 percent of the student body. The figures mentioned in Purdue University’s profile are taken from its official website and the National Center for Education Statistics.
Where Is Purdue?
Purdue University’s main campus is located in West Lafayette, Indiana. Known as one of Northwestern Indiana’s largest metropolitan areas, West Lafayette offers all resources and modern facilities to students. Besides the main campus, its other campuses are spread throughout Indiana and the US.
Besides its physical campuses, the university also has a global campus to facilitate online education. The head office for the global campus is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, with two centers for providing laboratory services to students.
What Is Purdue Known For?
Purdue University is known for its excellent faculty and high-quality university degree programs. It’s one of the top-tier research universities and a regionally accredited public university. It offers exceptional research facilities to learners. For over 25 years, Purdue has been one of the largest or second-largest national universities with the highest enrollments in engineering courses.
Is Purdue Ivy League?
No, Purdue University is not an Ivy League school. The Ivy League is a group of prestigious universities mainly located in the eastern US. These universities have a reputation for high academic standards and strict admissions policies.
As a result of the social prestige, graduates of Ivy League schools have significant career opportunities after graduating from school. While getting into these schools may be a bit challenging, it can definitely add worth to your resume.
How Big Is Purdue?
Purdue University is very big with a student body of 46,655 students. This number represents full-time and part-time students. Students from all over the US and the world enroll in the university under different degree programs.
It’s one of the largest universities in the US, with campuses all around the country. The main campus covers around 2,500 acres of land and hosts several academic and residential buildings. The large campus size can accommodate many students with all its academic facilities, including libraries, laboratories, and classrooms.
Is a Degree From Purdue Good?
Yes, a degree from Purdue is good because it’s one of the most prestigious and top-tier research universities today due to its high-quality research and learning. Eight subjects offered at the university have programs that rank in the top 50 among all schools in the country, according to US News & World Report. These subjects include mathematics, mechanical engineering, agricultural science, optics, and civil engineering.
How Much Does Purdue Cost?
Purdue University’s total cost of undergraduate attendance is $22,812 annually for in-state students and $41,614 for out-of-state students. These estimates cover average tuition and fees and other typical student expenses. With tuition and fees singled out, the average undergraduate tuition cost amounts to $9,992 for in-state students and $28,794 per year for out-of-state students.
Purdue University Financial Aid
Purdue University’s Division of Financial Aid is dedicated to helping students get scholarships. It also assists with financial aid for international students. The financial aid options available at Purdue University include grants, scholarships, loans, fee waivers, and a federal work-study program. Below are some of the scholarships that students can apply for.
Purdue University Scholarships
- Purdue Bound. This program paves the way to quality education for underrepresented Indiana students. It enables low-income students to seek higher education in STEM disciplines. Through this, the school collaborates with Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) to offer mentorship and training for students’ holistic development.
- Purdue Promise. Purdue Promise is offered to Indiana students belonging to families with an adjusted gross income of less than $50,000 per year. The program includes gift aid and work-study offers to help students fulfill their tuition costs.
- Trustees Scholarship. This is a university-wide scholarship available only to domestic students. It’s a merit-based scholarship awarded to students with exceptional academic performance, community services, and leadership. The award amounts to $10,000 per year for residents and $16,000 per year for non-residents.
- Presidential Scholarship. The presidential scholarship is also a merit-based financial aid program for domestic students. This renewable scholarship is awarded to freshmen students in their first year of study. The amount of scholarship is $4,000 per year for Indiana residents, and $10,000 per year to be eligible for renewal of the award, students must maintain a 3.00 or more GPA.
- Purdue Supplemental Scholarship. This is a departmental scholarship offered by the university for students enrolled in the Departments Of Education, Liberal Arts, Health and Human Sciences, and Polytechnic Institute. This is a merit and need-based scholarship, and students must apply through FAFSA to get the scholarship.
Purdue Rankings
Purdue University has been ranked by various credible ranking sites, including US News & World Report, Times Higher Education, and Center for World University Rankings. You can explore these rankings to evaluate and compare Purdue with other universities. Below are the rankings for Purdue University.
Purdue US News & World Report Ranking
Purdue University is ranked 127th among the best global universities, according to US News & World Report. This ranking evaluates the top global universities for their academic excellence through 13 performance indicators. These include research reputation among regional universities, global research reputation, publications, books, conferences, and citations.
As per the best national universities ranking, Purdue University is ranked 49th. This ranking includes the best universities in the US ranked for their academic excellence and student services. It also ranks 23rd among the best colleges for veterans as a result of school traditions of facilitating veteran higher education.
Purdue Times Higher Education Ranking
Times Higher Education ranks Purdue University 105th in its World University Rankings 2022. This is based on several performance metrics, including teaching, research, citation, industry income, and international outlook. As per the US College Rankings 2022, Purdue is in the 48th spot. All these rankings are based on a critical evaluation of key factors that define the school’s value.
Purdue Center for World University Rankings
Purdue University ranks 65th according to the Center for World University Rankings’ Top 2000 list. It contains the top 2,000 universities from different parts of the world and ranks them according to their performance. The key ranking factors include education, employability, faculty, and research.
Purdue QS World University Rankings
Purdue University is ranked 129th among the QS World University Rankings. The ranking criteria include academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per faculty, and international research network. Meanwhile, it also ranks 36th in the graduate employability ranking, which represents how likely university graduates are expected to get a job.
Purdue Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)
According to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2021, the university ranks 86th among the 1,000 best global universities. The best-ranked subjects by ARWU include hospitality and tourism management, aerospace engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and management.
Top Programs at Purdue University
Purdue University offers 6,700 academic courses in various fields of study with nearly 200 specializations. It aims to offer undergraduate students valuable freshman experience and graduate students ample development opportunities. Some of the top programs at Purdue University are well-reputed among other academic institutions, including math, engineering, and computer science.
Bachelor’s Degrees at Purdue
According to US News & World Report Rankings, Purdue University ranks 49th best for undergraduate teaching. It offers a wide range of degree programs for undergraduate students in highly in-demand fields of study. Following are the popular bachelor’s degree programs at the university.
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering
The 128-credit undergraduate program includes the combined study of agricultural systems and the application of engineering concepts. Completing the program results in career opportunities for students in various engineering aspects. These include product engineering, facilities design, engineering management, and equipment research.
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering
The Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering deals with the study of highly specialized and complex industrial systems that involve human integration. It prepares undergraduate students for different industrial engineering and design positions in various industries. The program requires you to complete 123 credit hours of coursework to get the degree.
Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science
This undergraduate degree in actuarial science is a comprehensive program that involves the in-depth study of statistics and mathematics. It aims to develop understanding and skills in the field of actuarial science. After completing the defined coursework, students become eligible for Validation by Educational Experience.
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Master’s Degrees at Purdue
Graduate-level students can earn their master’s degree from the university through specialized programs. Purdue offers a wide range of master’s degrees in diverse areas of study. Following are the top master’s degree programs that the school offers.
Master of Science in Computer Science
This graduate program allows you to enroll in one of the best-ranking programs designed by the Department of Computer Science. Students can choose between thesis and non-thesis options to earn their degrees. The Department of Computer Science requires to complete all the requirements set by the committee for all MS students.
Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering
This is one of the top-ranked online graduate programs of the university for students seeking to learn about astronautical engineering. The acceptance rate for this graduate program is high, which allows the majority of students to secure admissions. The program’s flexible study plan enables students to earn the degree at their convenience.
Master of Science in Health Physics – Radiation Protection
This is an innovative master’s degree program for a health science undergraduate or health professional seeking learning and career advancement. It allows them to learn advanced knowledge about protecting people and the environment from harmful radiation impacts. It prepares master’s students for a career as health physics researchers and environmental health physicists.
Other Top Programs at Purdue
Besides widely recognized bachelor’s and master’s programs, the university also offers other areas of academic expertise, including certificate, professional learning, and doctoral programs. Below are some of the other top programs at Purdue.
PhD in Mechanical Engineering
The doctoral program in mechanical engineering at Purdue is a university degree to prepare learners for dealing with the challenges of the modern world. Students with or without a master’s degree can complete their PhD under distinct program options. Completing the credit requirement in mathematics is also an integral part of this mechanical engineering degree.
PhD in Biological Sciences
Students with a plan to seek higher education in biology can earn this PhD. The program has no defined credit requirement, which makes it unique. Typically, for others, students take an average of 30 credit hours to complete the program. If a student’s plan of study has significantly low credit hours, they would need a special justification for approval.
Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication Management
This is an online graduate certificate program that enables learners to earn nine credits in effective communication and strategic management. It provides skill-based learning through a fast-paced certificate program. It prepares you for top positions in the organization involved in leadership and management roles.
How to Apply to Purdue University
- Review application requirements and deadlines. Firstly, you need to find out the required documents and information you need to fill in your application. Also, know the deadline for submitting the application and comply with it.
- Contact an admissions counselor. Contact any of the admissions counselors to help you with your admissions plan. You can choose a counselor according to your location from a long list of professionals ready to assist domestic and international students.
- Fill out the Common Application. The next step of the admission plan is to complete a Common Application. All first-year students are required to apply through the Common App. Carefully fill out all required information with correct information. Otherwise, you might not be able to get your acceptance letter.
- Submit your high school documents and test scores. Submit your high school coursework through the online platform. If you don’t have access to your coursework, submit a copy of your high school transcripts. You also need to submit your ACT/SAT scores. If you’re an international student, you might need to provide proof of English proficiency.
- Pay admissions fee. The final step is the payment of the application fee and submission of your complete application. Make sure you have answered all Purdue questions in the application and provided an impressive personal essay. The better the application, the higher your chances of getting admission to the university. You can expect to receive an acceptance letter within 12 weeks of submitting your application.
How Much Do Purdue Graduates Earn?
Purdue University graduates earn an average salary of $79,000 annually, as reported by PayScale. This represents an overall average of the expected yearly salaries of Purdue University graduates. The annual salary varies among different popular majors and depends on the skills and expertise level of the graduates.
Is Purdue a Good College?
Yes, Purdue is a good college because it offers amazing campus life and college experience. A degree earned from this highly regarded university is respected in the job market. The professional programs offered by the university report high employability rates.
Purdue partners with top companies such as PepsiCo., General Motors, General Electric, and 3M to improve the employability of school students. These internationally acclaimed and prestigious companies help employees develop their skills and earn high yearly salaries.
Is Purdue a Good School? FAQ
Yes, Purdue scholarships are highly competitive. Only 15 percent of the total applicants qualify for scholarship awards each year. The non-negotiable scholarship awards are renewable only if the student manages to maintain exceptional academic performance. The award criteria evaluation process also undergoes strict scrutiny to determine the applicants’ academic excellence or financial need.
The student services provided by Purdue University include a women’s center, health insurance, placement services, libraries, and daycare. The biology resource center and Purdue actuarial club are other specialized resources focused on academic and professional assistance. These services facilitate all students enrolled at the university.
The top engineering courses at Purdue include mechanical engineering, biological engineering, aerospace engineering, agricultural and biological engineering, and astronautical engineering. These programs develop specialized skills and knowledge among students and enable them to excel in their careers.
The student life at Purdue is great. It aims to enhance the quality of life for enrolled students, prepare them for a career, provide professional support, and help them have a memorable college experience. To meet this goal, the university offers various services and facilities that make life easier and convenient for students.
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