Purdue University is a public research university located in West Lafayette, Indiana, United States. Founded in 1869, Purdue has a long history of excellence in engineering, science, and technology. Today, Purdue is a comprehensive university that offers more than 200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across ten colleges, including agriculture, engineering, liberal arts, management, and technology. The university has a diverse student population of over 44,000 students, representing all 50 states and more than 130 countries.
Purdue is widely recognized for its strength in STEM fields, particularly in engineering and computer science. The university has a number of research centers and institutes dedicated to these fields, including the Birck Nanotechnology Center, the Center for Advanced Manufacturing, and the Purdue Quantum Science and Engineering Institute. The university is also home to one of the largest aviation technology programs in the country and has a strong presence in the fields of agriculture, life sciences, and healthcare.
Purdue has a vibrant campus life, with over 1,000 student organizations, including cultural and religious groups, sports clubs, and professional organizations. The university also has a strong athletic program, with 18 varsity sports teams competing at the NCAA Division I level. The Purdue Boilermakers are particularly known for their success in men’s basketball and women’s volleyball.
Purdue is committed to providing its students with an exceptional education and has a number of resources to support their success. These include a comprehensive advising program, tutoring and academic support services, and career services. The university also has a strong network of alumni, who are active in mentoring and networking with current students and recent graduates.

Purdue University
To know more about Purdue University, let’s take a look at these 34 interesting facts about Purdue University.
- The university was named after John Purdue, a businessman who donated land and money for the founding of the school.
- Purdue is a member of the Big Ten Conference and has 18 NCAA Division I sports teams.
- Purdue has produced 25 astronauts, including Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon.
- The university has more than 40,000 students enrolled in over 200 undergraduate and graduate programs.
- Purdue is known for its strong engineering programs, particularly in aerospace, civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering.
- The university is home to the Purdue Research Park, which is one of the largest university-affiliated research parks in the world.
- Purdue has a large international student population, with students from over 120 countries.
- The university has a strong commitment to sustainability and has implemented many initiatives to reduce its environmental impact.
- Purdue’s mascot is the Boilermaker Special, a train-shaped vehicle that serves as a symbol of the university.
- Purdue has a notable history in aviation, with its first flight school opening in 1930.
- The university has a long-standing rivalry with Indiana University, known as the Old Oaken Bucket game.
- Purdue is home to the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, the Purdue University Dance Marathon, which raises money for pediatric cancer.
- The university has a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation, with many resources available for students and alumni to start their own businesses.
- Purdue’s Bell Tower is the largest free-standing bell tower in the world, standing at 160 feet tall. The
- The university has a large and diverse Greek life, with over 70 fraternities and sororities.
- Purdue has a strong focus on research, with over $700 million in research expenditures each year.
- The university is home to the Purdue University Global campus, which offers online degree programs to students all over the world.
- Purdue has a long-standing tradition of excellence in agriculture, with its first agricultural experiment station established in 1889.
- The university has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, with many programs and initiatives aimed at promoting equity and inclusion on campus.
- Purdue is known for its rigorous academic programs and has consistently been ranked among the top public universities in the United States.
- The university has a large and active alumni network, with over 600,000 Purdue alumni living all over the world.
- Purdue is home to the Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering, which is named after the famous astronaut and Purdue alum.
- The university has a large and beautiful campus, with many historic buildings and landmarks.
- Purdue has a strong tradition of marching bands, with the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band being one of the most famous.
- The university has a large and impressive library system, with over 4 million volumes in its collections.
- Purdue is home to the Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment, a statewide effort to assess the potential impacts of climate change on Indiana’s environment, economy, and communities.
- The university has a strong commitment to internationalization, with many study abroad programs and partnerships with universities all over the world.
- Purdue is home to the Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security (CERIAS), one of the world’s leading centers for cybersecurity research.
- The university has a strong presence in the aerospace industry, with many partnerships and collaborations with companies like Boeing, NASA, and Rolls-Royce.
- Purdue has a strong tradition of academic excellence, with many Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and National Medal of Science recipients among its faculty and alumni.
- The university has a strong commitment to community service, with many opportunities for students to get involved in volunteer work and service learning projects.
- Purdue has a large and active student government, with many opportunities for students to get involved in campus leadership and governance.
- The university has a strong emphasis on experiential learning, with many opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience through research, internships, and other programs.
- The university has a strong commitment to affordability and accessibility, with many scholarships and financial aid programs available to help students pay for their education.
Purdue University is a world-renowned institution of higher learning that has a long-standing tradition of academic excellence, research innovation, and community engagement. With a strong focus on sustainability, diversity, and inclusion, Purdue provides its students with a rigorous academic experience that prepares them for success in their chosen careers. Whether you are interested in engineering, agriculture, aviation, or any other field, Purdue has the resources and expertise to help you achieve your goals. As a proud member of the Boilermaker community, students, faculty, and alumni of Purdue University carry on the university’s proud traditions of excellence and service, making a positive impact in their communities and around the world.