Purdue University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Purdue University is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 60%. Considering applying to Purdue? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Purdue University had an acceptance rate of 60%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 60 students were admitted, making Purdue's admissions process competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

Purdue requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 82% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Purdue's admitted students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Purdue scored between 590 and 690, while 25% scored below 590 and 25% scored above 690. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 600 and 750, while 25% scored below 600 and 25% scored above 750. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1440 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Purdue.

Requirements

Purdue does not require the SAT writing section. Note that Purdue participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates. SAT Subject tests are not required at Purdue.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Purdue University requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 50% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Purdue's admitted students fall within the top 22% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Purdue received a composite ACT score between 25 and 32, while 25% scored above 32 and 25% scored below 25.

Requirements

Purdue does not require the ACT writing section. Unlike many universities, Purdue superscores ACT results; your highest subscores from multiple ACT sittings will be considered.

GPA

In 2019, the average high school GPA of Purdue University's incoming class was 3.69, and over 50% of incoming students had average GPAs of 3.75 and above. These results suggest that most successful applicants to Purdue have primarily A grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Purdue University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Purdue University, which accepts over half of applicants, has a selective admissions process. If your SAT/ACT scores and GPA fall within the school's average ranges, you have a strong chance of being admitted. However, Purdue has a holistic admissions process involving other factors beyond your grades and test scores. A strong application essay and Purdue supplement can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. While not required, Purdue recommends that applicants to more competitive programs submit letters of recommendation. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their grades and test scores are outside of Purdue's average range.

Students can apply to Purdue using the Common Application or Coalition Application. When applying, students must indicate a first and second choice major. Purdue notes that they consider your grades related to your intended major in the application review process.

As the scattergram above reveals, students who are admitted to Purdue tend to have strong GPAs and test scores. The blue and green represent accepted students so you can see that the majority of accepted students had a high school average of B+ or higher, an ACT composite score above 20, and a combined SAT score (ERW+M) above 1050. The chances for admission increase as those grades and test scores go up.

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Purdue University Undergraduate Admissions Office.