Through six distinct campuses, Purdue’s systemwide institutions bring opportunities to every kind of student

Since its founding in 1869, Purdue University has been on a mission to promote innovation and transform the future by delivering high-quality public education to students across Indiana and the world. That mission started on Purdue’s flagship campus in West Lafayette, Indiana, but it has since expanded to locations in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Northwest Indiana, as well as Purdue’s online learning options. 

Purdue’s learning ecosystem encompasses six distinct educational opportunities that bring Purdue’s mission to every kind of student – from traditional college students seeking an unforgettable campus experience to working professionals getting their degrees online. Offering an accessible education that breaks barriers and brings students from around the world together is part of Purdue’s land-grant mission, which seeks to expand public education in the service of bettering humanity and the world. No matter who or where you are, Purdue has a campus, program, certificate or degree that can fit your goals and help you take the first step toward your next giant leap. Learn more about Purdue’s systemwide options and what kinds of opportunities they offer: 

Purdue University West Lafayette (Main Campus) 

Purdue University’s flagship campus, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, is Purdue’s largest and oldest campus, as well as Indiana’s land-grant university. This campus is where Purdue’s land grant mission started, and it continues to deliver prestigious, high-quality academic programs to Purdue students today. Purdue’s West Lafayette campus is consistently ranked as one of the top public universities in the country. It offers more than 200 undergraduate programs and over 80 graduate programs, as well as professional degrees in pharmacy and veterinary medicine.  

This campus is known for its rigorous academic programs, especially in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Additionally, it is considered one of the United States’ premier research institutions, with many of its faculty members producing innovative, groundbreaking research in their fields. Purdue professors are consistently recognized for the amount of patents they receive and entrepreneurial startups they generate. Students at this campus have access to state-of-the-art research facilities, high-profile industry collaborations and an expansive alumni network, with many Purdue alumni leading businesses and research facilities around the world. 

With an on-campus and online student population of over 50,000, Purdue’s West Lafayette campus is also known for its thriving campus culture. There are more than 1,000 registered student organizations on campus – everything from social groups to clubs for budding entrepreneurs and researchers. Purdue’s West Lafayette campus also has NCAA Division I athletics, with many highly ranked sports teams as well as intramural athletic opportunities.  

To learn more about Purdue University West Lafayette, visit Purdue’s website. 

Purdue University’s Online Programs (Part of West Lafayette Campus) 

In addition to on-site programs, Purdue University’s flagship campus also offers hundreds of online programs, certificates and microcredentials that can be accessed by students across the globe. These online professional development, graduate and doctoral programs deliver the same rigorous, high-quality academic experience that Purdue’s on-campus graduate programs do, but they are offered in a fully online or hybrid format. Designed for working professionals who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and are interested in continuing their education, Purdue’s online programs have flexible schedules, can be completed from anywhere in the world and enable students to study while working full time.  

Many of Purdue’s online programs are highly ranked like their campus counterparts, and they’re taught by Purdue West Lafayette faculty who have extensive research and industry experience. Purdue offers specialized online master’s degrees and doctorates in in-demand areas like engineering, technology, healthcare and communication, as well as graduate certificates, microcredentials and professional development courses in emerging topics like artificial intelligence. Purdue’s online programs focus on innovation, leadership and preparing students for high-level roles in their respective fields. Through hands-on projects and collaborations, students learn applied skills that they can use in the workforce.  

To learn more about Purdue University’s online programs, visit Purdue’s online program website. 

Purdue University in Indianapolis (Expansion of West Lafayette Campus) 

Purdue University in Indianapolis is an expansion of Purdue’s flagship campus in West Lafayette. It is located in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, a thriving urban center at one end of a high-tech corridor, which extends from West Lafayette to Indianapolis. This campus helps Purdue students connect with Indiana’s capital and largest city by giving them access to industry internships, hands-on experiential learning opportunities, corporate collaborations and more. This campus strengthens Purdue’s talent pipeline by helping connect students with job opportunities and preparing them to tackle challenges shaping industries right now.  

To learn more about Purdue University in Indianapolis, visit the location’s website. 

Purdue Fort Wayne 

Purdue Fort Wayne (PFW) is one of Purdue’s regional campuses and the largest university in northeastern Indiana. It was created to serve Indiana’s northeastern corridor by bringing high-quality education opportunities to regional students, as well as creating social, economic and cultural growth in the Fort Wayne area. This campus has 33 academic departments and offers over 200 academic programs in areas like business, engineering, health science and the humanities. PFW emphasizes accessibility, affordability and community engagement – encouraging students to collaborate with local businesses and organizations and promoting community service.  

With a little under 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, PFW offers many opportunities for students to network with one another and get engaged with campus culture and the broader community. Class sizes are small, and students enjoy a more close-knit campus environment. This regional campus is a great option for students who want smaller classes, more one-on-one interaction with professors and the opportunity to serve Indiana’s northeast region.  

To learn more about PFW, visit the campus’ website. 

Purdue University Northwest 

Purdue University Northwest is Purdue’s regional campus in the Chicagoland area. Located at campuses in Hammond, Indiana and Westville, Indiana, it offers close to 70 undergraduate and graduate programs in areas like business, nursing, technology, education and more. Like PFW, this campus emphasizes accessible, affordable educational opportunities for regional students. It also features an honors college and numerous opportunities for faculty-student interaction through independent research projects and small class sizes. Faculty at this campus often focus on applied research that responds to the needs of local industry and business. 

Located near the Chicago metro area, Purdue University Northwest brings a diverse array of educational opportunities to students by connecting them with local businesses and industries, teaching them real-world skills and helping them prepare for the workforce. With close to 9,000 students, Purdue University Northwest has a close-knit campus culture and is great for students seeking a more local college experience. 

To learn more about Purdue University Northwest, visit the campus’ website. 

Purdue Global  

Purdue Global, backed by Purdue University, is a fully online university built for working adults who are going back to school to earn a degree. Purdue Global emphasizes accessibility, offering more than 175 online programs in areas like business, nursing and health sciences. Purdue Global’s associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral programs and certificates are tailored to the unique needs of adults who have work or life experience beyond the classroom, enabling them to develop essential academic and professional skills with the support and flexibility they need to achieve their career goals. 

Purdue Global educates more than 38,000 adult learners. While both Purdue University and Purdue Global work to serve Purdue’s land grant mission, Purdue Global maintains its own accreditation through the Higher Learner Commissions (HLC).  

To learn more about Purdue Global, visit the university’s website. 

Diverse Learning Opportunities for Diverse Learners 

In today’s higher education environment, it is essential that the diversity of the learning opportunities Purdue provides matches the diversity of the students Purdue serves. Through its various campuses and associated institutions, Purdue University brings its mission to more students in more places. These learning opportunities promote innovation in Indiana and around the world, helping to create a future where jobs are filled, industries are growing and people are capable of turning small steps into giant leaps. 

Where will a Purdue degree take you? Visit our systemwide options webpage to get started.