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Wabash College vs Purdue University-Main Campus

Wabash College is a private college in Crawfordsville, IN. Purdue University-Main Campus is a public university in West Lafayette, IN. Purdue University-Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants and Wabash College about 63%, 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 $24,336 at Wabash College. About 83% of students graduate at Purdue University-Main Campus, compared with 77% at Wabash College. Ten years after enrolling, Purdue University-Main Campus alumni earn a median of about $72,424, against $69,952 for Wabash College.

Wabash College

Crawfordsville, IN · Private

Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Crawfordsville, IN
West Lafayette, IN
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
866
44,503
Acceptance rate
63%
50%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.45–3.95
3.45–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1060–1270
1200–1480
ACT (middle 50%)
23–28
27–34
Test policy
Test optional
Required
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$24,336
$14,600
Full cost / yr
$65,144
$24,591
In-state tuition
$50,800
$9,992
Out-of-state tuition
$50,800
$28,794
Application fee
$0
$60
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$16,586
$5,098
$30k - $48k
$13,526
$6,241
$48k - $75k
$18,175
$9,438
$75k - $110k
$18,681
$18,177
Over $110k
$30,511
$22,742
Outcomes
Graduation rate
77%
83%
Freshman retention
93%
93%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$52,667
$60,838
Median earnings (10 yr)
$69,952
$72,424
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
$19,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
24%
13%
First-generation students
Not reported
19%
International students
6%
10%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Not reported
Early action
Dec 1
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jan 15
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 Wabash College 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 63% at Wabash College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Wabash College 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 $24,336 at Wabash College. 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 Wabash College and Purdue University-Main Campus?
Before aid, Purdue University-Main Campus costs about $24,591 a year and Wabash College about $65,144. 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, Wabash College or Purdue University-Main Campus?
Purdue University-Main Campus. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $5,098 there, against about $16,586 at Wabash College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Wabash College or Purdue University-Main Campus?
Purdue University-Main Campus is the larger of the two, with about 44,503 undergraduates against 866 at Wabash College.
Does Wabash College or Purdue University-Main Campus have a better graduation rate?
Purdue University-Main Campus has the higher graduation rate, at about 83% against 77% at Wabash College.
Do graduates of Wabash College 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 $69,952 for Wabash College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Wabash College and Purdue University-Main Campus require SAT or ACT scores?
Wabash College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Purdue University-Main Campus requires SAT or ACT scores.
What SAT scores do Wabash College and Purdue University-Main Campus look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1060–1270 at Wabash College and 1200–1480 at Purdue University-Main Campus. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

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