College Comparison
Indiana University vs Purdue University: Which is Better?
Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more — updated with the latest College Scorecard data.
School
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN
School
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Indiana University | Purdue |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 80.4% | 50.3%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1170–1400 | 1190–1460wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 27–32 | 27–34 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $40,482 | $28,794wins |
| Avg Net Price | $15,342 | $13,945wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $63,742 | $72,424wins |
| Graduation Rate | 81.2% | 83.1%wins |
| Retention Rate | 90.5% | 92.0%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 14:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 36,571 | 39,637wins |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Purdue edges out Indiana University on 9 of 9 measurable categories — including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.
Indiana University Strengths
- No clear advantages in available data
Purdue Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 50.3%
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1190–1460
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $28,794
- ✓Avg Net Price: $13,945
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