WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue University is reporting continued growth in enrollment along with increases in student retention and graduation rates for the fall 2026 semester.
Purdue’s incoming freshman class grew 13% from fall 2025, with 10,818 new students enrolled at the university’s West Lafayette and Indianapolis campuses. Of those students, 10,173 are attending West Lafayette, and 645 are in Indianapolis.
Overall undergraduate enrollment at Purdue’s main campus reached 43,417 students this fall.
The university also reported a record increase in its four-year graduation rate. The rate rose nearly 5% to 73.2%, while the six-year graduation rate increased to nearly 84%, the second-highest rate in Purdue’s history.
Purdue’s one-year retention rate also increased to just over 93%, making it the university’s second-highest rate on record.
“Strong enrollment trends, our ongoing tuition freeze, and affordability are very happily familiar themes here at Purdue,” Provost Patrick Wolfe said. “But we’re 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.”
Cherise Hall, Purdue’s senior vice provost for enrollment and student strategy, said enrollment has increased 46% over the past decade, while the number of Indiana residents enrolled at Purdue has grown 18% during the same period.
The university received more than 82,000 applications from students seeking an undergraduate degree this year, an 80% increase over the past decade.
Purdue admitted 75% of undergraduate applicants who live in Indiana, the highest percentage in five years. Less than half of applicants from outside Indiana were admitted.
The number of incoming Indiana students participating in the 21st Century Scholars program also increased. This fall, 10.2% of new Indiana beginner students were 21st Century Scholars, up 2.6 percentage points from 2025.
The state program provides eligible Indiana students with up to four years of paid tuition at an eligible Indiana college or university after high school graduation.
Purdue also enrolled 2,345 transfer students across its West Lafayette and Indianapolis campuses. Forty-two percent of those students are Indiana residents, marking the highest number of Indiana-resident transfer students at Purdue in five years.
Incoming students set academic records
Students admitted to Purdue’s main campus posted an average SAT score of 1,342, the highest average on record and an increase from 1,337 in 2025.
Purdue requires test scores as part of its application process, and 98% of admitted students provided a test score this year.
The incoming class also reported an average high school GPA of 3.8.
Purdue officials said the academic credentials of incoming students, combined with student success efforts, are contributing to the university’s increasing graduation and retention rates.
The university’s fall enrollment census was taken Sept. 10.
More housing added
Purdue has also expanded its housing capacity in response to continued enrollment growth.
In August, the university opened South Hall, an eight-story, 252,500-square-foot residence hall that added nearly 900 beds. The opening followed the August 2025 completion of the 3rd & West apartment complex. Together, the two projects added approximately 1,900 beds to Purdue’s West Lafayette housing capacity.
Purdue system enrollment
Enrollment across the Purdue system also reached a record level this fall.
- Purdue West Lafayette graduate students: 13,344, a record driven primarily by growth in online students.
- Purdue Polytechnic statewide: 436 students across locations including Anderson, Columbus, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Lafayette, New Albany, Richmond, South Bend and Vincennes.
- Purdue Northwest: 6,103 undergraduate, graduate, and online students.
- Purdue Fort Wayne: 5,724 undergraduate, graduate, and online students.
- Purdue Global: 41,096 students enrolled in the university’s online programs.
Total enrollment across the Purdue system reached a record 111,047 students, up from 106,649 in 2025 and the previous record of 107,501 in 2024.
