Purdue University is the public land-grant research university of Indiana, based in West Lafayette on the banks of the Wabash River. It is famous for engineering, aviation and computer science — and for a remarkable fact: it has frozen its base tuition for 14 consecutive years, making it one of the cheapest big American universities for international students. Around 50,000 students study at the West Lafayette campus, including students from more than 130 countries.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | West Lafayette, Indiana, USA |
| Type | Public land-grant research university |
| Founded | 1869 |
| Students | About 50,000 (West Lafayette) |
| QS World Ranking 2027 | 100th (reported) |
| Acceptance rate | About 39% for out-of-state applicants (Fall 2025) |
Fees and cost of attendance (2026-27)
Purdue's trustees froze base tuition at the main campus again for 2025-26 and 2026-27. International students pay the non-resident rate plus International Student Tuition of US$1,655 per semester.
| Programme (2026-27) | International tuition & fees per year |
|---|---|
| General programmes | US$32,104 |
| Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Biological Engineering | US$36,154 |
| Daniels School of Business | US$35,540 |
| Polytechnic Institute | US$32,676 |
The full estimated cost of attendance for an international undergraduate in a general programme is about US$52,698, including housing and food (US$16,734) and books, transport and other costs (about US$3,860). Graduate tuition is charged at a flat rate for eight or more credit hours: US$29,194 a year for international students in general graduate programmes.
Scholarships: international undergraduates should plan to pay the full cost — Purdue's university merit scholarships are for domestic students only. The John Martinson Honors College adds US$100 per semester.
Popular programmes
Purdue's strongest draws are Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the Daniels School of Business. Its aviation programme is one of the oldest in the United States, and its engineering graduates are recruited heavily by aerospace, automotive and technology employers. Graduate programmes in engineering and computer science are also highly ranked, with MS tuition around US$30,318 a year for international students.
Admissions and deadlines
For Fall 2027 entry, the Early Action deadline was 1 November 2026 and Regular Decision closes on 15 January 2027. Applications go through the Common Application. Purdue is test-flexible for most programmes — check the current requirement on the programme page, as rules differ by college. International applicants need proof of English proficiency (TOEFL iBT or IELTS) unless they qualify for a waiver. Purdue does not accept three-year bachelor's degrees as equal to a US bachelor's for graduate admission, so check your degree before you pay the application fee.
Life at Purdue
West Lafayette is a classic American college town, and living costs run 20–25% below coastal US cities. The campus sits on the Wabash River, with strong intramural sport, more than 1,000 student organisations, and a large international student community. Indianapolis is about an hour away by car, and Chicago about two and a half hours.
Frequently asked questions
Is Purdue good for computer science? Yes — it is consistently ranked among the top 20 US computer science programmes, and its graduates are heavily recruited by major technology companies.
Does Purdue offer financial aid to international students? Generally no. International students should budget for the full cost of attendance (about US$52,698 a year for undergraduates in 2026-27).
When should I apply for Fall 2027? Early Action closed on 1 November 2026; Regular Decision closes on 15 January 2027. Spring 2027 graduate applications for applicants outside the US closed on 15 October 2026, and Fall 2027 international graduate applications close on 30 April 2027 (department deadlines may be earlier).
What is the 2027-28 tuition? To be confirmed — Purdue sets the next year's rates in the summer. The 2026-27 figures above are the latest published.
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Sources and verification: Purdue Bursar undergraduate tuition and fees 2026-27 (international general US$32,104; engineering/CS US$36,154; business US$35,540; total cost of attendance US$52,698; tuition frozen 14 years); Fall 2027 Early Action 1 Nov 2026, Regular Decision 15 Jan 2027. Confirm current figures on purdue.edu.