Enrollment: 31761
Average SAT: 598
Average ACT: 26
Most Popular Majors: Biology/Biological Sciences, General,Business Administration and Management, General,Mechanical Engineering,
Student Faculty Ratio: 14:1

Undergraduate Receiving Need-Based Financial Aid: 415
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid: $9,045.00

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Students Say - Academics
Purdue University is a large public school in Indiana that has a "hardcore engineering" reputation far and wide. However, there are more than 200 majors here and many students insist that Purdue's liberal arts programs are "underrated" and "much bigger than people think." Programs in pharmacy, nursing, business, hotel management, agriculture, and education are also laudable. The "student-oriented" top brass is reportedly "great." The "archaic" registration process is "a hassle for everyone," but "everything is very organized and the people who work in administration are genuinely there to help the students." While classes do get smaller at the upper levels, Purdue's general education courses are "always packed." The faculty really runs the gamut. "Professors are here to do two things: research and teach, usually in that order," explains a molecular biology major. "As such, they are very intelligent people. Their ability to express their information, however, is a case-by-case situation." There are professors who "only teach classes because they have to" and "there are some teaching assistants who can barely speak English." Other professors "like teaching" and are "willing to help students outside of class." The academic experience at Purdue can also vary wildly from major to major. For engineers "classes are insanely tough, yet satisfying." Getting through the introductory courses is a grueling rite of passage. "While some of the weed-out classes seem difficult and pointless, they really do prepare you for upper level courses," promises a chemical engineering major.

Students Say - Campus Life
Purdue boasts an "absolutely amazing" freshman orientation program and, with more than 800 clubs and organizations, "there is something for everyone." "Purdue is a party school if you're a partier, a place to succeed for the academically oriented, a Big Ten school for the sports fan, and a place for anyone to completely blend in or stand out," explains a sophomore. Intramural sports are popular. If you enjoy large percussion instruments, Purdue's Big Bass Drum is the planet's largest. The Greek system is also considerable and "fraternity parties are huge." Students who are of age frequently take advantage of a thriving bar scene. Tradition is also a noticeable part of campus life. Purdue students love being Boilermakers. "During football season, we have the great tradition of Breakfast Club, where people dress in ridiculous costumes and wake up at the crack of dawn because the bars open at 7:00 A.M.," explains a sophomore, "but make sure you get there early, because they start lining up around 6:00 A.M." Purdue is located in a "typical college town" "in the middle of cornfields." On campus, "there is a lot of concrete." "You can walk to everything" and "some buildings are wonderful and state of the art." Others could use renovation. Dorm rooms are "a little small." The student recreation facilities are "crowded." "Parking can be a little hectic." Some students also complain that the weather around here is "awful." While the climates in Indianapolis and Chicago aren't any better, both cities are a reasonable drive away.

Students Say - Student Body
Many students at Purdue are typical Midwesterners from a suburb of Chicago or Indianapolis. Others are "country kids" from the rural towns that dot Indiana. There are substantially more men here than women, which you will find to be the case at almost any engineering-heavy school. Students note that there are "lots of international students" and they argue that "Purdue is a lot more diverse than it is given credit for." "Students take academics very seriously here." They are "laid back but not lazy." "They're friendly, amiable, and open to many different people and experiences." "The Greeks and non-Greeks mix pretty well." Though there is some tension because "many of the engineering and science students look at anyone else as stupid and destined to work at McDonald's," but everyone else gets along for the most part. Politically, "liberalism is very alive," but Purdue is "a more conservative" campus. Mostly, though, it doesn't matter because "no one is really politically motivated."

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