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Purdue University


Purdue University

Purdue University

Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University System. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and money from Lafayette businessman John Purdue to establish a college of science, technology, and agriculture in his name.The first classes were held on September 16, 1874, with three buildings, six instructors, and 39 students.

Today, Purdue enrolls the second largest student body of any university in Indiana as well as the second largest international student population of any public university in the United States. This is a result of its aggressive recruiting policies abroad, particularly in Latin America and Asia.

Purdue offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in over 210 major areas of study. The university has been highly influential in America’s history of aviation, and Purdue’s aviation technology and aeronautical engineering programs remain among the highest rated and most competitive in the world. Purdue established the first college credit offered in flight training, the first four-year bachelor’s degree in aviation, and the first university airport (Purdue University Airport). In the mid-20th century, Purdue’s aviation program expanded to encompass advanced spaceflight technology giving rise to Purdue’s nickname, Cradle of Astronauts. Twenty-two Purdue graduates have gone on to become astronauts, including Gus Grissom (one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts), Neil Armstrong (the first person to walk on the moon), and Eugene Cernan (the last person to walk on the moon).

Purdue University Rankings in 2010

Purdue University Rankings in 2011

Purdue University Rankings in 2012

Purdue University Tuition and Fees

stimated Cost of Attendance, 2010-2011

The cost of attending Purdue University varies depending on factors such as where a student chooses to live, travel expenses, food costs, enrollment in a specific program or college/school, etc. Below are estimated costs for the 2010-2011 academic year (two semesters of full-time enrollment). Part-time students can find costs by credit hour on the Bursar Web site.

Indiana ResidentNonresident
Billed Expenses
Tuition/Fees$9,070*$26,622*
Room/Board$9,120$9,120
SUBTOTAL$18,190$35,742
Other Estimated Expenses
Books/Supplies$1,270$1,270
Transportation$180$300
Miscellaneous$2,180$2,180
SUBTOTAL$3,630$3,750
ESTIMATED TOTAL$21,820$39,492

*Some programs have additional fees:

Technology – $526

Engineering – $1,050

Management – $1,338

Schools of Purdue University

Purdue University News

  • 2012 class of Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellows announced - Mon, 14 May 2012
    Gov. Mitch Daniels on Monday (May 14) announced the 2012 class of Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellows. These 54 fellows - top recent graduates and accomplished career changers in science, mathematics, engineering and technology (the STEM fields) - will teach math and science in Indiana's urban and rural schools.
  • Purdue announces global online education initiative - Fri, 11 May 2012
    Purdue University President France A. Córdova on Friday (May 11) announced the formation of PurdueHUB-U, an online education initiative expected to extend from Purdue classrooms to around the planet.
  • Purdue trustees approve new on-site health center - Fri, 11 May 2012
    Purdue University's Board of Trustees on Friday (May 11) approved CHS Health Services Inc. to operate a health center for faculty and staff on the West Lafayette campus. CHS, based in Reston, Va., is one of 11 companies that bid for the service.

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