Want to go to Purdue? Before you don the black and gold, here’s everything you need to know about how to get into Purdue, and the Purdue admission requirements.
Since its founding in 1869, Purdue has been a national—and now, global—model for research institutions. Among The Wall Street Journal's Top 10 Public Universities (2022), Purdue offers highly regarded programs in fields as diverse as computer science, engineering, experimental psychology, environmental sciences, veterinary medicine, and the arts. Small class sizes means plenty of hands-on attention from top tier faculty and a tight-knit, personable community, while cutting edge facilities and research have earned Purdue the distinction of the US News & World Report Top 10 Most Innovative Schools in the US for five years running. Purdue also provides major bang for your buck as one of the best value schools in the nation —the university is now in its 12th year of frozen tuition. Nearly 1,000 student organizations enable students to pursue their interests and build fellowship with their peers. For an elite education at a great value, look no further than Purdue.
A quick note on college rankings: we think they’re generally a bad way to think about where you should go to college. We talk about why rankings are bad in greater detail here, but essentially, a lot of college rankings don’t actually tell you whether you and the school would fit well together, or that the school is someplace you’ll thrive. That said, we also understand that many students/families are confused regarding and have questions about aspects of the application process, so we’ve built the post below to hopefully clarify things, so students/families can make informed decisions.
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(click to skip ahead)How hard is it to get into Purdue?
It is moderately difficult to get accepted to Purdue. The grade point average of people who get accepted to Purdue are in the top half of their class. People who successfully get into Purdue also tend to have impressive extracurricular activities and college applications essays.
Purdue Acceptance Rate
The Purdue acceptance rate is 53%, making it a relatively accessible school. Acceptance rate is generally an indication of how competitive a school is, but it is also an indication of how popular a school is. To get into a school like Purdue, you will need to perform well in most areas of your college application.
Purdue Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, and Transfer Acceptance Rate
Purdue does offer a non-binding early action option; however, the university does not publish its early action acceptance rate. It is reasonable to infer that the early action acceptance rate is slightly higher than its regular admission acceptance rate (As a general rule, early acceptance rates are higher than regular acceptance rates). Purdue is a widely popular school to apply to.
Purdue’s transfer acceptance rate is 49%.
Purdue GPA Requirements
The recommended GPA requirements for Purdue are between 3.0 and 4.0. You will need a moderately high GPA and will likely be graduating at the top half of your class in order to get into Purdue. If your GPA is lower than suggested at the time you apply, you may have to perform above average on your standardized tests. If your grades aren’t as high as they could have been due to life experiences or hardship, you should consider writing about it in your additional information section.
Purdue Unweighted Average GPA: 3.4
What GPA is required for Purdue?
Applicants’ GPA when applying to Purdue should be between 3.25 and 3.75 to be strong candidates. Having less than this will require compensating by increasing your SAT or ACT score, and/or having outstanding extracurricular activities and personal statement.
| GPA Distribution | Percent Admitted |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 12.71% |
| 3.75-3.99 | 48.43% |
| 3.50-3.74 | 22.31% |
| 3.25-3.49 | 10.77% |
| 3.00-3.24 | 4.02% |
| 2.5-2.99 | 1.45% |
| 2.0-2.49 | 0.24% |
| 1.0-1.99 | 0.07% |
| Below 1.0 | 0% |
Purdue SAT Requirements
The recommended SAT requirements for Purdue are a 1300 to 1350 composite score, combining the reading and writing, and math sections together. You will need a moderately high SAT score in order to get into Purdue. If your SAT is lower than suggested at the time you apply, you may have to perform above average on your other standardized tests or have spectacular extracurricular activities to compensate. If your grades aren’t as high as they could have been due to life experiences or hardship, you should consider writing about it in your additional information section.
Purdue Average SAT Composite Score: 1330
| SAT Score Distribution | Reading % | Math % |
|---|---|---|
| 700-800 | 31.32% | 43.28% |
| 600-699 | 44.49% | 33.91% |
| 500-599 | 21.44% | 20.51% |
| 400-499 | 2.69% | 2.22% |
| 300-399 | 0.06% | 0.08% |
| 200-299 | 0% | 0% |
What SAT score is required for Purdue?
Applicants should score between 1300 and 1400 on their SAT to be strong candidates for admission to this school. Having less than this will require compensating by using a substitute ACT score or having an above-average GPA. Either an SAT or ACT score is required for application to this school.
Purdue ACT Requirements
The recommended ACT requirements for Purdue are a 31 composite score combining all English, mathematics, reading, and science sections. You will need a moderate ACT score in order to get into Purdue University. If your ACT is not what you’d hoped by the time you apply, you may have to make it up by getting above-average scores on the SAT and having an above-average grade point average. If your ACT wasn’t as high as you’d like because of difficulties or hardship, you should consider writing about it in your additional information section.
Purdue Average ACT: 31
| ACT Score Range | Composite Score % |
|---|---|
| 30-36 | 58.72% |
| 24-29 | 31.49% |
| 18-23 | 9.15% |
| 12-17 | 0.64% |
| 6-11 | 0% |
| Below 6 | 0% |
What ACT score is required for Purdue?
Applicants should score between 29 and 34 on their ACT to be strong candidates for admission to this school. Having less than this will require compensating by using a substitute SAT score or having an above-average GPA. Either an SAT or ACT score is required for application to this school.
Is Purdue a good fit for me?
Purdue is a wonderful option for those seeking an elite education at a fraction of the cost of an Ivy. With especially strong programs in computer science and engineering, Purdue is a STEM haven that is both large (over 45,000 students) and academically strong, making it popular with recruiters seeking to hire new candidates. A degree from Purdue is not only impressive to prospective employers, it’s a ticket to joining a massive global alumni network with leaders in just about every field.
Purdue is renowned for its incredible on-campus community, which includes one of the largest international student populations in the country, making it an incredibly diverse place to go to school. If you’re into sports and appreciate a campus with strong athletics programs and high school spirit, Purdue is part of the Big Ten conference, making football and basketball games must-attend events.
If all of that sounds good, Purdue may just be the right fit for you. As you weigh your options, ask yourself whether:
You envision yourself thriving on a large campus
You’re drawn to a school with a top-tier athletics program
You’ll be happy in a smaller town—West Lafayette, IN, is not a bustling metropolis!
You’re eager to get involved in student organizations
You’re seeking a university recognized for both value and return on investment
To strengthen your application and find more information to help you make your decision, do a deep dive on Purdue’s website! Explore its mission and vision statement and strategic plan and see how your values and desires line up with Purdue’s.
Purdue Application Deadlines
The Purdue application deadline for regular decision is January 15. Purdue also provides an alternative form of application in addition to regular decision: early action. The application deadline for Purdue’s early action is November 1. Below is a table showing the deadlines for each of the steps of the Purdue admissions process.
| Notification Plan |
||
|---|---|---|
| Non-Binding Early Action |
Submit Test Scores |
11/1 |
| Submit Application and Financial Aid Application |
11/1 |
|
| Admissions Decisions Released |
1/15 |
|
| Regular Decision |
Submit Test Scores |
1/15 |
| Submit Application |
1/15 |
|
| Submit Financial Aid Application (if still pending) |
4/15 |
|
| Admissions Decisions Released |
3/31 |
|
| 10-29 days before exam | $80 | $0 |
Purdue Early Decision, Early Action Policy
Purdue offers a non-binding early action application option. Priority consideration is given to early action applicants, however, the policy is non-binding, meaning you do not have to commit to Purdue if admitted early.
Purdue Supplemental Essay Prompts
Purdue’s supplemental essay prompts are below and the supplemental essay guide that they were sourced from can be found here.
Prompt #1: How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom? (Respond in 100 words or fewer.)
Prompt #2: Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. (Respond in 100 words or fewer.)
Prompt #3: Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the alternate major you have selected. (Respond in 250 words or fewer.)
Purdue Essay Tips
Prompt #1 is a straightforward extracurricular essay. You’ll find our in-depth guide to the extracurricular activity essay here, but here a few quick tips:
Try to avoid writing about an activity you’ve detailed in your Personal Statement. Seize this opportunity to show off another side of you!
Be sure to think about impact: did you raise money for a cause? If so, how much? Did you implement a new program or initiative through a school club or organization? Did you teach a student or mentee a specific skill or concept? Show us what you did and how you did it! A helpful formulation as you think about this question: “I did X, which resulted in Y.”
Think about how this activity connects to a specific value in your life. That could be anything from your commitment to social justice to your creativity. What does the experience you detail in your essay say about your character?
Prompt #2 is a very short “Why Us?” essay. You can check out our in-depth guide to the “Why Us?” essay here, but here are a few things to keep in mind:
Do your research! Click deep on the school’s website to find programs and opportunities that speak to you; ask a current or former student what they love about Purdue; or direct your questions to an admissions officer or local rep, who will be more than happy to speak with you! Remember: the more specific you are about why you and Purdue fit together well, the more effective your essay will be.
You want to show why Purdue is right for you, but also why you are right for Purdue. What values will you bring to campus that make you a standout candidate?
Avoid writing about the school’s size, locations, reputation, or ranking. Trust us: Purdue knows all of these things already!
Prompt #3 is a classic “Why Major?” essay. More on that here, but consider the following as you approach this essay:
Because you only have 100 words, prioritize information over poetry. In other words, get straight to the point at the top of your essay and tell us why you want to study physics at Purdue specifically.
On that note, take another look at the school’s website. What research opportunities excite you? Are there professors whose work/area of expertise excites you? Is there a specialized certificate or dual-degree program that will support your interests? Remember: specificity is your friend.
Consider closing out your essay with a (brief) statement of how you’ll use your Purdue education after graduation. How will you make the world a better place with the knowledge you’ll gain on campus?
Purdue Major-specific Supplemental Essays
Purdue has an additional question that you must answer if and only if you have selected a second major:
Prompt #4: Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the second choice major you have selected. (Respond in 100 words or fewer.)
This is essentially the same as Prompt #3. Do be strategic in your response and think about how your first and second choice majors might complement each other!
Harrison is a writing coach, playwright, and college essay specialist. He strives to empower students to take ownership of the writing process and develop their voices as storytellers. He is an avid swimmer, voracious reader, crossword enthusiast, and proud uncle to the coolest girls in the world.
Top values: Curiosity | Creativity | Generosity
