10-yr median earnings
$72,424
Federal aid recipients only
Public · West Lafayette, Indiana
Purdue University-Main Campus
Purdue University-Main Campus is a public institution in West Lafayette, Indiana. as a public institution, published Scorecard outcomes are the federal Title-IV cohort view of former students — not every graduate and not a guarantee for any one enrollee.
- $14,600
- Avg net price / yr
- $72,424
- 10-yr median earnings
- 83.1%
- 150%-time completion
- 49.9%
- Acceptance rate
The verdict
Purdue University-Main Campus pairs top-10% former-student earnings with a selective admit.
According to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
- Top 6%
- former-student earnings, US
- 49.9%
- acceptance rate
- 83.1%
- 150%-time completion
- +19%
- earnings, 6→10 yrs
City: Small
Carnegie: R1
Institution data retrieved July 2026; field-of-study data retrieved March 2026.
How to read this Purdue University-Main Campus profile
Figures above come from IPEDS institution records published through the College Scorecard (retrieved July 2026 for institution fields; March 2026 for field-of-study). Peer groups and cost cohorts follow IPEDS ownership sector, Carnegie class ("Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity"), and locale, not an editorial shortlist.
Average net price subtracts grant and scholarship aid from cost of attendance for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients. It is a defined cohort average, not a personalized price; income-band fields add context but do not replace the school's current net-price calculator.
Earnings use Treasury-linked records for federally aided former students who were working and not enrolled in the measurement year (completers and noncompleters). IPEDS completion and retention use separate first-time, full-time cohorts, so those denominators are not the earnings cohort. Read cost, completion, and earnings as distinct historical measures, not a causal verdict or individual forecast.
College Value Score
B+
College Value Score
77/100
Purdue University-Main Campus
A 6-metric composite of earnings, cost, and completion outcomes benchmarked against every reporting US college, not a ranking of teaching quality, campus life, or fit for any individual student. See the full methodology.
Earnings A+
$72,424
10-year median former-student earnings
Net Price C
$14,600
Average annual cost after grants and aid
Completion Rate A
83.1%
Completion within 150% of normal time
Debt F
$19,500
Median federal debt at graduation
Loan Repayment A+
85.8%
Borrowers repaying loans within 3 years
Retention A
92.7%
First-year students returning for year two
Each axis is the percentile score shown in the breakdown at left; the shape shows this school's overall profile at a glance.
Avg net price
$14,600
After grants and scholarships
150%-time completion
83.1%
Full-time, first-time cohort
150%-time completion vs portal median (57.1%) 83.1%
Four-year-institution cohort
College ROI Quadrant - Purdue University-Main Campus vs peers
Each dot is a college plotted by 10-year median earnings (x-axis) vs average net price (y-axis), colored by completion within 150% of normal time. Bottom-right = high earnings/lower price; top-left = lower earnings/higher price.
How Purdue University-Main Campus ranks nationally
Where this school's former-student earnings fall within the full national distribution of every US college that reports to the College Scorecard, not just its peer set.
Purdue University-Main Campus: former-student earnings vs. every US college
10-year median earnings, College Scorecard
$72,424 Top 6% higher than 94% of 5,103 US colleges
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US colleges. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard · Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals
| Metric | Purdue University-Main Campus | National rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-yr median earnings | $72,424 | #322 of 5103 | 94th |
| Average net price | $14,600 | #2018 of 5020 | 60th (lower is better) |
| 150%-time completion | 83.1% | #553 of 4858 | 89th |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 44,503 | #15 of 5462 | 100th |
National ranks count every operating US college reporting each metric to the College Scorecard, separate from the earnings histogram above.
Quick Facts
44,503
Undergraduate enrollment
49.9%
Acceptance rate
1,364
SAT average
83.1%
150%-time completion
$72,424
10-yr median earnings
92.7%
First-year retention
How Purdue University-Main Campus ranks in Indiana
State rank among 126 reporting Indiana colleges with College Scorecard data, a separate lens from the national distribution above.
| Metric | Purdue University-Main Campus | State rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-yr median earnings | $72,424 | #16 of 126 | 87th |
| Average net price | $14,600 | #22 of 96 | 77th (lower is better) |
| 150%-time completion | 83.1% | #6 of 87 | 93rd |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 44,503 | #2 of 100 | 98th |
Highest former-student earnings in Indiana
| # | School | 10-yr earnings | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | $101,253 | $42,513 |
| 2 | University of Notre Dame | $99,980 | $26,780 |
| 3 | Chamberlain University-Indiana | $92,405 | $16,149 |
| 4 | Butler University | $77,235 | $36,041 |
| 5 | Purdue University-Main CampusThis school | $72,424 | $14,600 |
| 6 | Purdue University - Purdue Polytechnic Anderson | $72,424 | - |
| 7 | Purdue University - Purdue Polytechnic Indianapolis | $72,424 | - |
| 8 | Purdue University - Purdue Polytechnic South Bend | $72,424 | - |
| 9 | Purdue University - Purdue Polytechnic New Albany | $72,424 | - |
| 10 | Purdue University - Purdue Polytechnic Columbus | $72,424 | - |
| 11 | Purdue University - Purdue Polytechnic Kokomo | $72,424 | - |
| 12 | Purdue University - Purdue Polytechnic Richmond | $72,424 | - |
Admissions
| Admission Rate | 49.9% |
| SAT Average | 1,364 |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 600 – 760 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 600 – 720 |
| ACT Average | 30 |
| ACT (25th-75th) | 27 – 34 |
Costs & Financial Aid
Net price by family income at Purdue University-Main Campus
Average annual net price after grants; Title IV recipient cohort by income bracket
- $0 – $30k $5,098
$0 – $30k
$5,098 net price / yr
- $30k – $48k $6,241
$30k – $48k
$6,241 net price / yr
- $48k – $75k
$48k – $75k
$9,438 net price / yr
- $110k+
$110k+
$22,742 net price / yr
What this shows Need-based aid pulls net price down at lower brackets at Purdue University-Main Campus - compare the bar for your income band, not the overall average alone.
Tuition & Net Price
| In-State Tuition | $9,992 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $28,794 |
| Average Net Price | $14,600 |
13.0%
Pell Grant Rate
22.4%
Federal Loan Rate
$19,500
Median Debt
$207/mo
Monthly Payment
Net price at Purdue University-Main Campus swings rather than trends
Across 11 reported years between 2013 and 2023, the average net price here has ranged from $9,127 to $15,543 without settling into a rise or a fall. Comparing only the first and last years would read as -10.3%, but the years in between do not follow that line, so the honest summary is the range rather than a trend. Budget against the upper end, not the average.
Lowest year
$9,127
Highest year
$15,543
Most recent (2023)
$13,945
11 reported years. Nominal dollars, not adjusted for inflation.
2013 · $15,5432023 · $13,945
Over the same years, enrollment went +31.4% (30,167 → 39,637 students).
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, per-year fields (2013–2023). Net price is the average cost after grant and scholarship aid for federally-aided undergraduates.
Student Demographics
Race & ethnicity
Student body at a glance
47.3%
Female
18.5%
First Generation
Outcomes
92.7%
Retention Rate
$60,838
Median Earnings (6yr)
79.9%
Earning Over $25K
85.8%
Loan Repayment, Completers (3yr)
Outcomes & debt snapshot
| Measure | Cohort / horizon | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Completion within 150% of normal time | First-time, full-time | 83.1% |
| First-year retention | First-time, full-time freshmen | 92.7% |
| Median earnings | 6 years after entry | $60,838 |
| Median earnings | 10 years after entry | $72,424 |
| Share earning over $25,000 | Working, not enrolled | 79.9% |
| Loan repayment rate | Completers, 3 years after leaving | 85.8% |
| Median federal student debt | At completion | $19,500 |
| Estimated monthly payment | Standard 10-year plan | $207/mo |
Programs & Earnings
Field-of-study summary by credential
| Credential | Programs | Award count | Avg earnings | Top earnings | Avg debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 84 | 8,329 | $75,548 | $146,685 | $19,184 |
| Master's | 20 | 1,490 | $113,781 | $155,217 | $33,898 |
| Doctoral | 5 | 186 | $102,619 | $118,149 | - |
| Certificate | 4 | 646 | $87,660 | $105,733 | $17,961 |
| First Professional | 2 | 225 | $129,315 | $135,033 | $106,386 |
| Graduate Certificate | 1 | 91 | $85,278 | $85,278 | $22,260 |
Top programs at Purdue University-Main Campus by completer earnings
Median earnings of program completers, College Scorecard field-of-study file
- Agricultural Business and …
Agricultural Business and Management
$155,217 median earnings
- Computer Science
Computer Science
$146,685 median earnings
- Engineering, Other
Engineering, Other
$140,404 median earnings
- Computer and Information S…
Computer and Information Sciences, General
$140,205 median earnings
- Electrical, Electronics, a…
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
$137,523 median earnings
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical S…
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
$135,033 median earnings
- Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
$133,021 median earnings
- Business Administration, M…
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$132,747 median earnings
What this shows The highest-earning programs at a school are not necessarily its most popular ones - a small specialized program can post strong median earnings without reflecting the outcome most students here actually see.
| Program | Credential | Completers | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Business and Management | Master's | 22 | $155,217 | - |
| Computer Science | Bachelor's | 439 | $146,685 | $19,136 |
| Engineering, Other | Master's | 44 | $140,404 | - |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | Master's | 37 | $140,205 | - |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | Master's | 99 | $137,523 | - |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | First Professional | 147 | $135,033 | $99,174 |
| Mechanical Engineering | Master's | 144 | $133,021 | - |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Master's | 171 | $132,747 | $41,000 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | Master's | 201 | $131,275 | $32,946 |
| Veterinary Medicine | First Professional | 78 | $123,596 | $113,597 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General | Master's | 15 | $122,295 | $35,080 |
| Computer Engineering | Bachelor's | 297 | $121,462 | $22,875 |
| Air Transportation | Master's | 60 | $120,421 | - |
| Education, General | Doctoral | 22 | $118,149 | - |
| Chemistry | Doctoral | 49 | $115,831 | - |
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Explore Data-Matched Colleges
Matches use Scorecard measures among reporting colleges — not state-system recommendations or geographic proximity.
Similar Enrollment and Sector
Other Public institutions closest in reported enrollment, preferring the same Carnegie classification.
Ohio State University-Main Campus
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45,638 students · 1,135 apart
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX
42,855 students · 1,648 apart
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
42,537 students · 1,966 apart
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
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42,284 students · 2,219 apart
Similar Reported Net Price
Other Public institutions with the nearest reported average net price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Purdue University-Main Campus? ▼
Purdue University-Main Campus is a public institution in West Lafayette, Indiana. The acceptance rate is 49.9%. The average SAT score is 1,364. Undergraduate enrollment is 44,503 students.
How much do Purdue University-Main Campus former students earn? ▼
Federally aided former students at Purdue University-Main Campus who were working and not enrolled had median earnings of $72,424 ten years after entry; the cohort is not limited to graduates. Six years after entry, the corresponding median is $60,838.
How much does Purdue University-Main Campus cost? ▼
The average net price at Purdue University-Main Campus is $14,600. In-state tuition is $9,992 and out-of-state tuition is $28,794. Median student debt at graduation is $19,500.
What is the graduation rate at Purdue University-Main Campus? ▼
Purdue University-Main Campus has a 83.1% completion rate within 150% of normal time at a four-year institution (typically six years for a bachelor’s program). The first-year retention rate is 92.7%.
Is Purdue University-Main Campus worth the student debt? ▼
The median student debt at Purdue University-Main Campus is $19,500, while former students earn a median of $72,424 ten years after enrollment. That debt represents about 27% of those annual earnings. Among borrowers who completed their program, 85.8% are repaying their loans within 3 years. Estimated monthly loan payment is $207.
Sources & methodology
Public-college profiles lean on IPEDS enrollment and Scorecard Title-IV outcomes. State appropriations are outside this page; the figures below are the federal cohort measures only.
Every number is read live from the Mar–Jul 2026 Scorecard/IPEDS retrievals. Public institutions often enroll large Title-IV cohorts, so medians can be stable — still cohort averages, never a personal forecast. Read the full methodology for how the data is sourced, computed, and verified.
- College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education - former-student earnings, cost & completion (collegescorecard.ed.gov).
- IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics - enrollment, admissions, Carnegie class & demographics (nces.ed.gov/ipeds).
- U.S. Treasury / IRS earnings linkage - median earnings 6 & 10 years after enrollment for federal-aid recipients (irs.gov).
- College Scorecard, Field of Study - program-level (credential) earnings & debt (collegescorecard.ed.gov).
- Federal Student Aid (Title IV / NSLDS) - U.S. Department of Education - net price, student debt & aid-recipient repayment outcomes (studentaid.gov).
Where to go next from Purdue University-Main Campus
- Compare Purdue University-Main Campus against schools with similar outcomes at a lower average net price.Find similar schools that cost less
- Browse every reporting college in Indiana side by side.Browse Indiana
- See how fields of study differ on former-student earnings and debt.Explore programs
Public-college Scorecard figures are historical Title-IV cohort averages — confirm current tuition, aid, and admissions rules with the institution before deciding.
Every figure on PlainCollege is rendered directly from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard data, no number is typed in by an editor. Public-institution profiles compile Scorecard Title-IV earnings, IPEDS enrollment/admissions, and Treasury linkage fields — no editor-typed figures. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error on this page. Review the public data changelog. Data current as of Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals.