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Indiana University-Bloomington vs Purdue University-Main Campus

Indiana University-Bloomington is a public university in Bloomington, IN. Purdue University-Main Campus is a public university in West Lafayette, IN. Purdue University-Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants and Indiana University-Bloomington about 78%, making Purdue University-Main Campus the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $14,600 a year at Purdue University-Main Campus after aid, and about $16,264 at Indiana University-Bloomington. About 83% of students graduate at Purdue University-Main Campus, compared with 81% at Indiana University-Bloomington. Ten years after enrolling, Purdue University-Main Campus alumni earn a median of about $72,424, against $63,742 for Indiana University-Bloomington.

Indiana University-Bloomington

Bloomington, IN · Public

Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Bloomington, IN
West Lafayette, IN
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
37,806
44,503
Acceptance rate
78%
50%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.44–3.94
3.45–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1170–1400
1200–1480
ACT (middle 50%)
27–33
27–34
Test policy
Considered
Required
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$16,264
$14,600
Full cost / yr
$28,801
$24,591
In-state tuition
$12,144
$9,992
Out-of-state tuition
$41,891
$28,794
Application fee
$65
$60
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$6,324
$5,098
$30k - $48k
$7,610
$6,241
$48k - $75k
$12,154
$9,438
$75k - $110k
$20,204
$18,177
Over $110k
$25,128
$22,742
Outcomes
Graduation rate
81%
83%
Freshman retention
91%
93%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$53,417
$60,838
Median earnings (10 yr)
$63,742
$72,424
Median debt at graduation
$19,509
$19,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
17%
13%
First-generation students
22%
19%
International students
5%
10%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Nov 1
Regular decision
Feb 1
Jan 15

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Indiana University-Bloomington or Purdue University-Main Campus harder to get into?
Purdue University-Main Campus is harder to get into. It admits about 50% of applicants, compared with 78% at Indiana University-Bloomington. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Indiana University-Bloomington or Purdue University-Main Campus?
Purdue University-Main Campus is cheaper on average. Students pay about $14,600 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $16,264 at Indiana University-Bloomington. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Indiana University-Bloomington and Purdue University-Main Campus?
Before aid, Purdue University-Main Campus costs about $24,591 a year and Indiana University-Bloomington about $28,801. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Indiana University-Bloomington or Purdue University-Main Campus?
Purdue University-Main Campus. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $5,098 there, against about $6,324 at Indiana University-Bloomington. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Indiana University-Bloomington or Purdue University-Main Campus?
Purdue University-Main Campus is the larger of the two, with about 44,503 undergraduates against 37,806 at Indiana University-Bloomington.
Does Indiana University-Bloomington or Purdue University-Main Campus have a better graduation rate?
Purdue University-Main Campus has the higher graduation rate, at about 83% against 81% at Indiana University-Bloomington.
Do graduates of Indiana University-Bloomington or Purdue University-Main Campus earn more?
Purdue University-Main Campus alumni earn more on average: a median of about $72,424 ten years after enrolling, against about $63,742 for Indiana University-Bloomington. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Indiana University-Bloomington and Purdue University-Main Campus require SAT or ACT scores?
Indiana University-Bloomington considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Purdue University-Main Campus requires SAT or ACT scores.
What SAT scores do Indiana University-Bloomington and Purdue University-Main Campus look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1170–1400 at Indiana University-Bloomington and 1200–1480 at Purdue University-Main Campus. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school