Purdue University system

West Lafayette, Indiana, United States · Est. 1869 · Public University

Indiana's premier public university system with world-class engineering and research across five campuses.

  • Founded May 6, 1869 by John Purdue; land-grant public university system
  • 118,686 system-wide students across five physical campuses plus online programs
  • Main campus in West Lafayette, Indiana; additional campuses in Indianapolis, Hammond, Westville, and Fort Wayne
  • Highly regarded engineering and technical programs; operates 9 Polytechnic satellite locations statewide
  • $4.1 billion system-wide endowment (2024); 8,733 faculty members
  • Serves all 92 Indiana counties through cooperative extension offices

System Structure

The Purdue University system comprises one core university with two locations (West Lafayette and Indianapolis), plus two regional universities (Purdue Northwest with campuses in Hammond and Westville, and Purdue Fort Wayne). The system also operates Purdue Global, an online university serving approximately 44,000 additional students. Each institution maintains independent faculty and admissions policies under oversight of the Purdue University Board of Trustees. The main West Lafayette campus serves as the system anchor and houses system-wide administrative offices.

Academics

Purdue's main campus is nationally recognized for engineering and adjacent technical disciplines. The system offers over 550 degree programs across associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. The Purdue Polytechnic Institute operates nine satellite technology centers across Indiana offering certificate, associate, and bachelor's degrees tailored to regional workforce needs. Purdue Global provides online certificates and degrees at all levels, including law degrees through Purdue Global Law School.

Campus & Student Life

The system encompasses 18,676 acres across five campuses. West Lafayette's main campus sits on the banks of the Wabash River and features distinctive red brick architecture. Purdue University in Indianapolis, launched July 1, 2024, occupies a 28-acre downtown footprint with partnerships for shared facilities. Regional campuses in Hammond (194 acres) and Westville (305 acres) serve northwestern Indiana, while Fort Wayne's campus spans 520 acres on both sides of the Saint Joseph River.

Statewide Engagement

Beyond traditional campuses, Purdue operates cooperative extension offices in all 92 Indiana counties, providing agricultural information, youth development, and community services. The system's reach extends through Purdue Online, which unifies online offerings across West Lafayette, Fort Wayne, Northwest, and Global campuses, awarding degrees under the Purdue University name.

Founded
1869
Type
Public University
Courses
11
Total intake
Not yet verified
AffiliationLand-grant university system
Websitehttps://purdue.edu/home/about/systemwide-campuses/
HousingAvailable
Some details are still being verified.

Quick stats

Courses offered
11
Avg career outcomes
$72.4K
Total intake
Not yet verified
Housing
Yes
Data last verified June 2026 · compiled from official sources