Guide to Applying to Purdue University as an International Student for an Undergraduate Degree
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana is a public research university offering over 200 undergrad majors. The university is classified as “R1” which means there is always high research activity and is a member of the “Association of American Universities”. Notable alumni include 25 astronauts and 13 Nobel laureates. The university is the fourth largest in the USA in terms of the number of foreign students that study there.
English Proficiency Test Requirements
Colleges in the US including Purdue University require international students to submit English proficiency test scores to be considered for admission to the college. International students having a score of 28 or higher in the ACT English or a 33 or higher score in the SAT reading may be exempted from having to submit the proficiency scores. Normally, the English proficiency test score requirements are:
- 88 or higher in the TOEFL iBT if applying for majors in the colleges of Engineering, Science, or Krannert School of Management and 80 or higher if applying to all other majors with 20 or higher in each section
- 6.5 or higher on the IELTS test with at least 6.0 bands in each section
- Grade A or B, or 6-9 in the First-Language English test in the British Ordinary Level English Language Exam
ACT/SAT Requirements
Purdue University accepts both ACT and SAT scores and you only need to submit the scores of one of those tests. You also don’t need to take the SAT Essay or the ACT Writing tests. Mentioned below are the average test scores required:
| Test | Score Range | Average Score Required |
| ACT | 1-36 | 25-31 |
| SAT | 400-1600 | 1160-1390 |
However, for Spring, Summer, and Fall 2021 and 2022, Purdue is test flexible, meaning the university will review application if a student is unable to take a standardized test.
Tuition Fee and Cost of Living
The tuition fee and the cost of living are just an estimate so it’s best if you check on the university’s official website to avoid any kind of problems during admission.
| Annual Cost | In US Dollars | In Indian Rupees |
| Tuition Fee | $31,084 | ₹ 21,75,880 |
| Living Expenses | $15,030 | ₹ 10,52,100 |
| Total | $46,114 | ₹ 32,27,980 |
The conversion from USD to INR has been made with $1 = ₹70. The cost may vary with the varying exchange rate.
Application Portal
You can apply to Purdue University with a Common Application or a Coalition Application. On Purdue University’s application page, you can choose from options such as freshmen, transfer students, dual credit, and more. You can access the application portal by following the instructions and choosing an option on the link https://www.admissions.purdue.edu/apply/apply.php.
Essay Prompts
Since you’d be applying to Purdue University with either the Common Application or the Coalition Application, you need to write essays in response to the prompts required on the portal.
College Application Deadlines
Try to submit your applications ahead of the deadlines instead of waiting till the last minute. You can work on your application and essays without having to stress if you submit them early.
| Application Deadline | Decision | |
| Early Action | November 1 | January 15 |
| Regular Decision | January 15 | March 15 |
Conclusion
Purdue University is one of the best Universities in the US. If you’re an international student longing to study in the US, you’d have a bright future after studying here. The only thing that’s left is to get accepted to Purdue University. UniRely has helped students improve their chances of getting into top universities around the world. UniRely has student mentors studying at various universities to help freshmen know college experience first-hand. Get help with your application and keep track of all your university deadlines with the Uni Comparison feature. Sign up at UniRely today!