Purdue University’s main campus finished fiscal year 2025 with a strong financial result, with a positive operating margin of 4.7% that contributes to enabling major new constructions or renovations of facilities. While higher education in the U.S. is in general facing operating budget deficit and significant financial uncertainties, Purdue continues to be sturdy.
Purdue University continued its run of strong research funding and partnerships during fiscal year 2025, with the university’s research expenditures and overall research portfolio setting records. In sharp contrast to peer institutions across the Big Ten and nationally, Purdue’s research expenditures surged 9% to $656 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, President Mung Chiang reported to trustees. This figure includes only federal and industry research funding, and does not include other sources such as state, philanthropy or internal support.
In a response to local economic growth, West Lafayette is set to gain four new medical facilities, significantly expanding access to emergency, inpatient, specialty and primary care services within the city.
The Purdue Board of Trustees approved 2026 health plans, which will have a slight employee premium increase — for just the second time in six years. The plans align with the university’s strategic approach to health care and the Healthy Boiler Wellness Program, and they were designed as part of Purdue’s ongoing goal of improving population health.
Purdue, in collaboration with Apple, plans to launch a spatial computing hub utilizing Apple Vision Pro in fall 2025 to enable collaborative research, innovative educational programs and industry engagement. The spatial computing hub will enable innovative training and workforce development for critical fields including semiconductor and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The Purdue Board of Trustees approved the purchase of real estate at 518-520 Indiana Ave. in Indianapolis from the Purdue Research Foundation to serve as a Student Center for the Indianapolis location. The two-story, 25,000-square-foot facility will open for the fall semester and operate similarly to the Krach Leadership Center in West Lafayette.
The Purdue Board of Trustees charged the College of Science to establish a STEM teaching certificate in response to Indiana’s growing unmet demand for more teachers in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. In what would be first of its kind in the state, Purdue’s STEM Teaching Certificate would permit STEM majors to earn state licensure by completing nine credits in the foundations of teaching, plus field experience. The new certificate is made possible by SEA 255, passed during the 2025 legislative session and signed by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun.
In his report to the Board of Trustees, President Mung Chiang recognized faculty who received major awards from March to June and thanked friends of the university for their recent generous contributions. He also reviewed fiscal year 2025 metrics and reflected on the economic growth and deepening town-gown relationship between Purdue and the Greater Lafayette community.
In his presentation to the Board of Trustees, Eugene H. Spafford, Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, reflected on his 38 years of cybersecurity research at Purdue. He shared a short summary of the history and growth of the Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security and the information security interdisciplinary graduate program — both of which he founded and led. The presentation also highlighted contributions from recent PhD students and explored Stafford’s ongoing efforts in cybersecurity education.
During the Purdue Global Board of Trustees meeting, Jon Harbor, interim chancellor, reported on the census for fiscal year 2025, which averaged 36,606. Harbor said the 4.3% growth compared to FY24 was driven by continued improvements in start rates and retention. The more than 14,800 graduates in FY25 is a 23% increase over the previous year. Eva Nodine, chief finance officer and chief operating officer, provided a financial update showing continued financial stability and growth, including a modest financial surplus of 2.4% for FY25. The board also approved the election of officers and ratification of vice presidents and academic officers.
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