Purdue blazed a historic trail in computer science, still pushes the field forward

The Purdue Bell Tower.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. —

Sixty years ago, Purdue University helped drive the emergence of computer science as an academic field of study. Today, that pioneering spirit shows no sign of abating.

Computer science is the largest and most selective undergraduate major on Purdue’s campus, with 2,405 undergraduate and 538 graduate students enrolled as of fall 2022. Within the last few years, the department has added two undergraduate majors – data science and artificial intelligence – to complement the traditional computer science degree path.

Purdue recently unveiled plans for the Purdue Computes initiative, which will provide vital strategic investments for faculty hires, artificial intelligence research and semiconductor facility upgrades. The goal: to help the computer science program consistently rank among the top 10 in the U.S. by the end of the decade.

For more on the program’s future and its history, including some of the prominent figures who played a role in the department’s development, visit The Persistent Pursuit website.

Media are encouraged to share, post and publish this content.

Media contact: Brian Huchel, bhuchel@purdue.edu

More Purdue News

Portraits of the Indiana 250 honorees with text that reads “IBJ Media Indiana 250.”

Boilermakers moving Indiana forward: Purdue leaders, trustees, alumni named to IBJ Media’s Indiana 250

July 22, 2026

Purdue ranked No. 2 in America’s Best Value Public Universities study

July 16, 2026

Mark Lewis

Purdue Research Foundation names Mark Lewis as first-ever chief national security officer

July 10, 2026

Graphic image stating Purdue Brand Studio 3X PR Daily Award Winner (2026)

Purdue Brand Studio named Team of the Year at Ragan’s PR Daily Awards

July 8, 2026