Purdue University

Established in 1869, Purdue University is a renowned public research university located in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA. Founded through a land-grant from businessman John Purdue, the university has since grown into a global leader in engineering, science, technology, and innovation. Known for its rigorous academics and research excellence, Purdue serves more than 50,000 students across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.

Academic Structure

Purdue consists of several academic colleges and schools offering over 200 undergraduate majors and more than 70 graduate programs. Prominent academic units include:

College of Engineering
– Ranked among the top 10 in the U.S.
Krannert School of Management
College of Science
College of Agriculture
College of Pharmacy
Purdue Polytechnic Institute
College of Liberal Arts

Purdue’s interdisciplinary focus and industry partnerships provide students with hands-on learning, co-ops, and research experiences that prepare them for high-impact careers.

Research Activities

Purdue is classified as an R1: Doctoral University with Very High Research Activity and invests over $660 million annually in research. Major research centers and institutes include:

Birck Nanotechnology Center
Purdue Research Foundation
Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security (CERIAS)
Discovery Park District

Key research areas include aerospace, quantum computing, health sciences, agriculture, cybersecurity, and sustainable energy. Purdue has strong ties with NASA, DARPA, and major corporations such as Rolls-Royce, Intel, and IBM.

International Rankings

QS World University Rankings 2025:
Top 100 globally
Times Higher Education (THE) 2024:
Top 125 globally
U.S. News & World Report 2024:
#43 National Universities in the U.S.
QS Engineering Rankings:
Top 10 in U.S. and Top 25 globally

Purdue is consistently ranked as one of the best value and most innovative public universities in the U.S.

Campus Life

Purdue’s West Lafayette campus spans over 2,500 acres and features modern facilities, research labs, student housing, and recreational spaces. The university offers over 1,000 student clubs and organizations, Big Ten Conference athletics, and cultural events year-round.

Signature traditions like the Boilermaker Special (the school’s train-shaped mascot) and Grand Prix (a student-run go-kart race) foster school pride. The Purdue Musical Organizations, student media, and volunteer opportunities enrich the campus experience.

Notable Alumni

Neil Armstrong
– First human to walk on the moon
Eugene Cernan
– Last astronaut to walk on the moon
Brian Lamb
– Founder of C-SPAN
Drew Brees
– Super Bowl-winning NFL quarterback
Gus Grissom
– NASA astronaut and test pilot

Purdue has produced more than 25 astronauts, earning it the nickname “Cradle of Astronauts.”

Future Goals

Under the leadership of President Mung Chiang, Purdue’s strategic vision focuses on affordability, innovation, global engagement, and AI-driven education. Purdue is expanding its online learning platforms, sustainability efforts, and the Discovery Park District as a hub for entrepreneurship and research collaboration.