Purdue University Tuition and Fees

By Susan Guillory

(Last Updated – 09/2026)

Total Cost of Attendance

Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, is well-known for its engineering, technology, and science programs, as well as its research and innovation. Purdue tuition for the 2026-27 school year is $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 $11,950 for in-state students and $31,880 for out-of-state students, according to data for the 2025-26 academic year.

Financial Aid

More than half of students at Purdue (59%) 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: 25% of first-year students take out federal student loans, with the average being $5,116. The average amount of grant or scholarship aid received by first-year students is $11,294.

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 the 2026-27 numbers, tuition and fees for a four-year computer science or engineering degree at Purdue would cost $48,168 for in-state students and $131,376 for out-of-state students. For comparison, the average tuition and fees for four years for a public university in the U.S. would be $47,800 for in-state, and $127,520 for out-of-state, based on 2025-26 figures.

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

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

In 2026-27, students who lived in Indiana pay a total of $26,726 in tuition, fees, and room and board. Those who come from other states pay $45,528.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Purdue tuition for graduate school is $9,992 for in-state students in 2026-27 and $28,794 for out-of-state students. The overall average cost of graduate school tuition at a public university in the U.S. is $38,820 per year. There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

💡 Quick Tip: Graduate student loans can help cover tuition, fees, and other education-related expenses.

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 approximately 66%, based on fall 2025 figures.

Admission Requirements

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

Required:

•  Proof of high school graduation

•  Self-reported high school grades

•  SAT or ACT scores

•  Minimum of 2-4 years of certain high school subjects

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 for the Fall 2025 first-year intake 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 2024-25: 1,288

2. Mechanical Engineering

Purdue’s mechanical engineering program covers mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, materials, controls, manufacturing, and machine design, with electives allowing students to explore areas such as aerospace, robotics, automotive engineering, and energy.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 792

3. Biological and Biomedical Sciences

The Biomedical Health Sciences program prepares students for professional and graduate programs across a wide range of health care and health science careers. Students build a strong foundation in biomedical sciences while exploring electives in areas such as immunology, oncology, medical imaging, toxicology, and health care leadership.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 688

4. 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 2024-25: 363

5. Finance

Studying Finance at Purdue University includes investments, financial markets, corporate finance, and financial analysis, with opportunities to explore areas such as investment banking, asset management, corporate finance, and financial planning.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 281

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 2024-25: 239

7. 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 2024-25: 184

8. Animal Science

Drive innovation in animal health, behavior and production. Explore everything from animal welfare to nutrition and business, with hands-on learning in world-class labs and on a working farm.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 177

9. Sociology

The study in sociology offers the opportunity to study fascinating issues of human social relations and institutions that are critical to the functioning of a healthy society. Understanding patterns and causes of human relations, the role of social institutions and agencies as they seek to meet the demands of growing demographic change are just some of the issues you can study as a sociology major.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 172

10. Communications

Dive into the power of words, images and media to influence, inspire and inform, while building strong communication skills and exploring how media shapes culture and public perception.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 142

Learn more about the majors at Purdue here .

Graduation Rate at Purdue

The graduation rate for six-year students who started Purdue in Fall 2018 was 83%, and for four-year students who started at Purdue in Fall 2018, it was 65%.

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

After graduating from Purdue, students earn, on average, $62,452 a year. This is higher than the national average for graduates of four-year institutions of $68,680.