WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue University has been named the second-best value public university in the nation in SmartAsset’s 2026 rankings, earning the top spot among Indiana universities and all Big Ten public institutions.
The annual study evaluated more than 500 public colleges and universities, measuring value based on the cost of attendance, graduation rates and graduates’ median earnings.
According to the rankings released July 9, Purdue’s annual cost of attendance is $24,591, while alumni earn a median salary of $72,424. The university also posted an 83% graduation rate.
The University of Florida claimed the top ranking, followed by Purdue and New York City’s Baruch College.
Purdue has improved its standing significantly in recent years. In SmartAsset’s 2023 Best Value Universities report, the university ranked sixth among public institutions and 15th overall.
To compile the rankings, SmartAsset examined colleges and universities with costs below the median for similar institutions. Schools were then scored using graduation rates and the median earnings of former students 10 years after they first enrolled.
The study’s cost-of-attendance calculations include tuition, books, fees and living expenses, with data based on figures published in March 2026.
The latest ranking adds to Purdue’s long-standing emphasis on affordability while maintaining strong academic outcomes and career opportunities for graduates.
