Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, is the flagship university of the Purdue system and one of America's most distinguished public research universities. It has more than 45,000 students and an exclusive acceptance rate of around 50.3%. Purdue is most renowned for having top-of-the-line schools in Engineering, Computer Science, Agriculture, Business, and Health Professions. The six-year graduation rate is well over 80%, and graduates' outcomes are good, with them having competitive incomes
Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne (Purdue Fort Wayne), based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a regional campus governed jointly by Purdue University and Indiana University. It educates approximately 8,000–9,000 students in a less expensive and more accessible education than the flagship. Moderately selective admissions, with acceptance rates of 86%, are offered. The university has no presence in global rankings but focuses on accessibility, affordability, and intimate faculty-student interactions. Its six-year graduation rate is approximately 40–45%, consistent with its regional mission and nontraditional student body.
| Purdue University | Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.8 Out of 10 | 4 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 85 Times Higher Education 2026 # 88 QS World University 2026 # 66 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | - |
| Subject Strength | # 6 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 301 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 | - |
| Programs | UG Programs -197 PG Programs -57 Doctorate Programs -7 | UG Programs -64 PG Programs -16 |
| Acceptance Rate | 50.0 % | 86.0 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-115 IELTS-6.5 TOEFL-80 | IELTS-6.5 SAT-970 TOEFL-79 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 31104 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 28203 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 13720 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 24202 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 16490 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 22712 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Top recruiters are Cummins Inc, Boeing Company, Eli Lily and Company, Northrop Grumman Corporation, etc.
| |
| application requirements | Avg GPA required- 3.6 (grade B). Include essay and answers to Purdue questions along with applicant profile. | - |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Krannert School of Management | NA |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.9/10 Read 18 reviews | 6.0/10 Read 1 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 71 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 96 for Business by QS World University 2025 | - |
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 140/160IELTS - 8.0/9TOEFL - 105/120 | GMAT - 450/800IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 58/90TOEFL - 80/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -76570 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -16490 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Nov 15, 2025 (Priority Admission and Financial Aid Consideration Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Mar 1, 2026 (Late Priority Admission and Financial Aid Consideration Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Apr 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) | Jun 16, 2024 (Application Deadline For Summer 2024 Intake 2) Aug 1, 2024 (Application Deadline For Fall 2024 Intake) Dec 15, 2024 (Application Deadline For Spring 2024 Intake) Apr 16, 2025 (Application Deadline For Summer 2025 Intake 1) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Purdue University | Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1869 | 1964 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 15:1:1 | 43:1 |
| Male:Female | 59% Male, 0% Female | 45% Male, 55% Female |
| Location Facts | West Lafayette campus located in Indiana is the flagship campus of Purdue University System | |
| Library | 9 libraries: 6 subject-oriented, Hicks Undergraduate Library, VIrginia Kelly Karnes Archives, Special Collection Research Center, Includes 3,317,331 printed volumes and electronic books; 227,814 electronic and print journals; 400,000 microforms and government documents. | |
| Campus Life | Over 1000 sports clubs and organizations such as A Cause for Paws, Make and Go Maker Space Initiative, 3D Printing Club, Accounting Association, Center for Democratic Citizenship | |
| Hostel | #Housing and Food - $13720 | #Off campus (with family) - $4022 #On campus - $9345 #Off campus (not with family) - $9345 |
| Famous Alumni | 23 astronauts including Neil Armstrong (first man to walk on moon), Edward Mills Purcell (Nobel laureate, physicist), Yitang Zhang (mathematician), Jeffrey Lacker (Federal Reserve Bank president), James Thompson (CEO of Rand Corporation) | |
| City Life | Lafayette – West Lafayette is situated between Chicago, Illinois and Indianapolis; Has over 40 parks and extensive trail systems, many nationally and international known high-tech corporations and institutions; population is approximately 190,000 | |
| Weather |
Purdue University vs Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW)
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Purdue University (PU) Globally ranked in the neighborhood of 88 (QS 2026) Computer Science, Aeronautics, Agriculture, Pharmacy, and Business. Purdue is a STEM giant with a solid global reputation and research presence.Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW): Not represented in international QS or THE rankings, PFW is a regional teaching-oriented university. It has solid programs in Business, Nursing, Engineering Technology, Health Sciences, and Education, serving regional and local student needs.
General Information
Purdue, established in 1869 in West Lafayette, Indiana, has ~50,000 students and is the main research campus, providing a traditional residential university experience and international academic reputation. PFW, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has ~8,000 students and offers a smaller, community-based campus experience with applied, career-driven degree programs.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Purdue is restrictive 50.3% acceptance rate, particularly in high-competitive programs like Engineering, Computer Science, and Business. PFW has a significantly higher acceptance rate 86%, intended to accommodate a broader regional student base, including first-generation and non-traditional students.
Research Impact & Facilities
Purdue is a Carnegie R1 institution, boasting internationally renowned facilities such as the Purdue Research Park, Discovery Park District, and partnerships with NASA and industry giants. PFW is more instruction-focused than research-intensive, though it does offer students real-world labs, applied research, and community partnerships.
Cost & Financial Aid
Purdue, being a flagship university, charges more in tuition to out-of-state and foreign students, but is still relatively affordable to residents of Indiana when compared to private universities. PFW is the lower-cost alternative with much lower tuition rates and financial aid packages that place it among the more affordable public state universities in Indiana.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Purdue graduates are known around the world in engineering, aerospace, computer science, agriculture, and business, with an alumni base that features astronauts, Fortune 500 executives, and Nobel winners. PFW alumni tend to develop careers regionally in business, healthcare, education, and engineering technology, serving Indiana's workforce and community advancement.
