{"id":23479,"date":"2026-09-14T16:56:31","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T20:56:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/?p=23479"},"modified":"2026-09-14T17:15:52","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T21:15:52","slug":"purdue-value-proposition-continues-to-drive-strong-demand-undergrad-enrollment-increases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/2026\/Q3\/purdue-value-proposition-continues-to-drive-strong-demand-undergrad-enrollment-increases","title":{"rendered":"Purdue value proposition continues to drive strong demand, undergrad enrollment increases"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. \u2014 Delivering on its land-grant commitment to affordability, accessibility and value in preparing the next generation of leaders, Purdue University saw enrollment of its incoming freshman class this fall increase 13% over fall 2025 to a near-record 10,818 students in West Lafayette (10,173) and Indianapolis (645).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, Purdue reports a record increase in four-year graduation rates, with four-year rates rising almost 5% to more than 73%, and six-year rates rising to nearly 84% (second highest ever). One-year retention rates also increased to the second best ever at just over 93%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall undergraduate enrollment for Purdue\u2019s main campus is 43,417 for the fall 2026 semester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStrong enrollment trends, our ongoing tuition freeze and affordability are very happily familiar themes here at Purdue,\u201d Provost Patrick Wolfe said. \u201cBut we\u2019re particularly excited and pleased this year to see our student success efforts paying off, including a new record of 73.2% of our students graduating within four years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cherise Hall, Purdue\u2019s senior vice provost for enrollment and student strategy, said Purdue has experienced a 46% increase in enrollment in the last decade<\/a>, while in-state enrollment has risen 18% during that same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ahead of the fall semester, the university received over 82,000 applications for students wanting to pursue a Purdue undergraduate degree, Hall said, a figure that has jumped 80% in 10 years. Purdue admitted 75% of all undergraduate applicants who live in Indiana \u2014 the highest percentage in five years \u2014 and less than 50% of all non-Indiana residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purdue\u2019s percentage of new beginner Indiana residents who are 21st Century Scholars<\/a> jumped to 10.2%, up 2.6 percentage points from fall 2025 figures, Hall said. The statewide program offers income-eligible students from Indiana up to four years of paid tuition at an eligible Indiana university or college after they graduate from high school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Included in the total undergraduate enrollment in West Lafayette and Indianapolis are 2,345 transfer students, of which 42% are Indiana residents, producing the highest number of Indiana-resident transfer students in five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The average SAT score of those accepted to Purdue\u2019s main campus also is the highest on record at 1342, which is up from 1337 in 2025. Test scores are expected when applying to Purdue University; this year, 98% of admitted students provided a test score. Admitted students sported an average high school GPA of 3.8. Students with these credentials continue to strengthen Purdue\u2019s four- and six-year graduation rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Students
Purdue\u2019s freshman class enrollment rose to 10,818 students in West Lafayette (10,173) and Indianapolis (645) this fall, a near-record figure driven by more than 82,000 applications and the admission of 75% of all undergraduate applicants who live in Indiana. (Purdue University photo\/Kelsey Lefever)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This semester\u2019s census-day enrollment was recorded Sept. 10 for Purdue, which has experienced record demand driven by the university\u2019s unmatched commitment among its higher education peers to a 14-year tuition freeze, along with its growing global reputation and expanding research and engagement activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To accommodate the strong demand for a Boilermaker education while expanding options for on-campus residences, last month Purdue opened the eight-story, 252,500-square-foot South Hall<\/a>. That new residence hall, combined with the August 2025 opening of the 3rd & West apartment complex<\/a>, added 1,900 beds to the university\u2019s West Lafayette housing capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purdue systemwide enrollment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A snapshot of Purdue\u2019s fall 2026 enrollment figures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n