Purdue University-Main Campus is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Purdue University-Main Campus (PU) is 52.7%. This means that 53 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
How Competitive are Purdue University-Main Campus Admissions?
- Competitive: Applicants need good academics and extracurriculars.
- GPA, SAT/ACT, and AP/IB courses significantly impact admission chances.
- A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.
To secure admission, you must convince the admission staff that you are both mentally and physically fit for the course of study. More importantly, your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. Additionally, if you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as the PU is not very strict in its admission process, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.
As the acceptance rate is above 50%, you still have a chance if your GPA is not excellent. You can make up for a lower GPA by scoring high on the SAT, and ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.
Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can enhance your admission chances.
Purdue University-Main Campus Admission Requirements
PU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at PU is 3.67. PU is highly selective.
Mostly A’s with a few B’s will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.
If your GPA is between 3.37 and 3.67, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended. You need at least a 3.27 GPA to secure admission.
Can I Get Into PU Without SAT Or ACT?: Purdue University-Main Campus requires test (SAT/ACT) scores to determine the merit for admission. It means that students will not be allowed to apply without test scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.
Purdue University-Main Campus (PU) SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.
Purdue University-Main Campus Average SAT Score: 1354
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Purdue University-Main Campus is 1354 on the 1600 SAT scale.
Purdue University-Main Campus SAT Competitiveness
This score makes it Competitive for SAT scores. You need to do well to score 1354 on the SAT.
Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1470 SAT or 34 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Purdue University-Main Campus allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1200, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to PU. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.
Purdue University-Main Campus SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 680 | 600 | 760 |
| SAT Reading | 655 | 600 | 710 |
| SAT Composite | 1354 | 1200 | 1470 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1200 then you are below most of the admitted students at PU and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1470 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1350
Can I get into Purdue University-Main Campus (PU) with a 1450 SAT?
With a 1450 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Purdue University-Main Campus (PU) are good but the admission staff at PU tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Purdue University-Main Campus (PU) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at PU is 31.
Purdue University-Main Campus ACT Competitiveness
This score makes Purdue University-Main Campus very Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do very well to score 31 on the ACT.
Purdue University-Main Campus ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 30 | 26 | 34 |
| ACT English | 30 | 25 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 31 | 27 | 34 |
Can I get into Purdue University-Main Campus with a 34 ACT?
With a 34 ACT Score, your chances of admission at Purdue University-Main Campus are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.
SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send
You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to the average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at Purdue University-Main Campus. More importantly, comparing your scores with the 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you a better understanding of where you stand. If your score on the SAT is near the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send your SAT score. If your ACT score is near the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.
But there is more, if both of your scores are in the same range, then it is better to send an ACT Score, as in the case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.
Here is how: When sending the ACT Score, you can decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with the SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.
View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 31.PU Profile
Name: Purdue University-Main Campus (PU)
City: West Lafayette
State: Indiana
Type: Public
Zip: 47907-2040
Campus: Main
Accredited by: Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
How much does a degree from PU Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Purdue University-Main Campus is USD: 22508. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Purdue University-Main Campus is USD: 14000
How can I get a scholarship?
14.12% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 24.21 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to PU and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Purdue University-Main Campus, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist PU as your choice in the form.
How much a PU Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the PU graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 72424. An average PU graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Purdue University-Main Campus. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of Purdue University-Main Campus, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | The University of Alabama, AL | 1304 | 27 |
| Chapman University | Chapman University, CA | 1316 | 29 |
| University of San Francisco | University of San Francisco, CA | 1323 | 29 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Thomas Aquinas College, CA | 1328 | 30 |
| University of Connecticut | University of Connecticut, CT | 1340 | 31 |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield University, CT | 1325 | 30 |
| Florida State University | Florida State University, FL | 1309 | 29 |
| Covenant College | Covenant College, GA | 1315 | 28 |
| University of Georgia | University of Georgia, GA | 1335 | 30 |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | Illinois Institute of Technology, IL | 1328 | 30 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Purdue University-Main Campus. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for Purdue University-Main Campus, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Denver | University of Denver, CO | 1348 | 30 |
| Bentley University | Bentley University, MA | 1346 | 30 |
| College of the Holy Cross | College of the Holy Cross, MA | 1361 | 30 |
| Wheaton College (Massachusetts) | Wheaton College (Massachusetts), MA | 1346 | 30 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, MN | 1355 | 30 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Purdue University-Main Campus. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occidental College | Occidental College, CA | 1434 | 33 |
| Pepperdine University | Pepperdine University, CA | 1399 | 30 |
| Colorado College | Colorado College, CO | 1402 | 31 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Colorado School of Mines, CO | 1403 | 32 |
| United States Air Force Academy | United States Air Force Academy, CO | 1401 | 31 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Accounting and Related Services
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Agricultural Business and Management
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agricultural Mechanization
- Agricultural Production Operations
- Agricultural Public Services
- Agriculture, General
- Air Transportation
- Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
Full list of All degree programs offered by Purdue University-Main Campus.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.