Purdue University Tuition and Fees

By Susan Guillory

(Last Updated – 01/2025)

Total Cost of Attendance

Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, is well-known for its engineering, education, business, and nursing programs. Purdue tuition for the 2023-24 school year was $9,992 for in-state students and $28,794 for out-of-state students. Notably, tuition has not increased for several years, although other expenses have. Purdue tuition is comparable to the national averages of $11,260 for in-state students and $29,150 for out-of-state students.

Financial Aid

More than half of students at Purdue (60%) use student loans, grants, or scholarships to cover Purdue tuition. There are many financial aid options available.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

One form of financial aid to help with Purdue University tuition is a student loan: 27% of students take out federal student loans, while 6% take out private loans. The average private student loan is $19,587.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

Based on 2023-24 numbers, Purdue tuition for four years would cost $99,528 for in-state students and $174,736 for out-of-state students. For comparison, the average total cost for four years for a public university in the U.S. is $115,360 for in-state, and $186,920 for out-of-state.

Here’s some Indiana Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

In 2023-24, students who lived in Indiana paid a total of $24,882 for tuition, fees, and room and board. Those who came from other states paid $43,684.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Purdue tuition for graduate school was $9,992 for in-state students in 2023-24 and $28,794 for out-of-state students. The overall average cost of graduate school tuition in the U.S per year is $21,730. There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

To attend Purdue part-time, in-state students pay $347.85 and out-of-state students pay $948.30 per credit. You may also be eligible to take out student loans as a part-time student.

Campus Housing Expenses

At Purdue University, freshmen are not required to live on campus, though most do. Students can opt to live in university residences, cooperative housing, or fraternity or sorority houses. Those who choose to live off-campus have many options in housing, either living alone or with roommates.

Purdue University Acceptance Rate

The Purdue acceptance rate is 50%, based on fall 2023 figures.

Admission Requirements

Here’s what’s required with your application to Purdue University.

Required:

•  Self-reported high school grades

•  SAT or ACT scores

Recommended:

•  Recommendations

The deadline for Early Action is November 1, with a decision given by January 15. The Regular Decision deadline is January 15, with a decision given by March 31. You can apply to Purdue here .

SAT and ACT Scores

SAT or ACT scores are required for first-time, first-year applicants. (In past years, Purdue was test-flexible, which means SAT and ACT scores were not required.) Here are the average scores at the 25th and 75th percentile.

Popular Majors at Purdue University

Purdue University offers a wide range of majors, and graduates are in high demand after completing their studies. Here are the most popular fields of study.

1. Computer Science

Purdue has the world’s oldest existing computer science department and offers computer science students different tracks to specialize in: computational science and engineering, computer graphics and visualization, database and information systems, foundations of computer science, machine learning and artificial intelligence, programming languages, security, software engineering, or systems programming.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 521

2. Mechanical Engineering

After learning how to research, design, develop, manufacture, manage, and control engineering systems and their components, students are prepared for careers in a variety of industries.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 478

3. Psychology

Students in Purdue’s psychological sciences program study clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, behavioral neuroscience, social psychology, learning and motivation, statistics, and mathematical models of behavior.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 318

4. Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering

Students in this program get a solid foundation in engineering science and the technologies and design of flight vehicles. They also learn to design and operate aircraft, missiles, and space vehicles.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 314

5. Industrial Engineering

Students in this program learn how to design, analyze, and manage complex human-integrated systems such as manufacturing systems, supply chain networks, and service systems.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 269

6. Mathematical Statistics

As a leading technical university, Purdue offers programs in many areas that apply statistics, including this rigorous program that leads to a double major in statistics and mathematics. This path prepares students for graduate work in both applied statistics and mathematical statistics or a quantitative field.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 199

7. Electrical Engineering

This program delves into the research, development, design, and operation of electrical and electronic systems and their components. Students can specialize in: automatic controls; communication, networking, signal, and image processing; fields and optics; power and energy systems; microelectronics and nanotechnology; VLSI and circuit design; or computer engineering.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 174

8. Registered Nursing

Nursing students at Purdue University get real-world experience using technology and strategies to help patients in a variety of health situations. Students have three years of clinical placements.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 162

9. Computer Graphics

A career-ready major that focuses on all aspects of computer graphics, from animation to scientific visualization, and from user experience to game studies. Research projects prepare students to be practitioners and managers in computer graphics-related careers.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 155

10. Information Technology

Students in the information technology department will learn to work with databases, information systems, and computer apps. They will also learn to plan, design, build, analyze, manage, and maintain computer networks, and gain valuable communication skills.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 121

Learn more about the majors at Purdue here .

Graduation Rate at Purdue

The graduation rate for students who started at Purdue in fall 2017 was 83%.

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

After graduating from Purdue, students earn, on average, $72,000 a year. This is higher than the national average for graduates of four-year institutions of $68,516.