Your Guide to Visiting Purdue University

Purdue University, a renowned public research university in West Lafayette, Indiana, welcomes thousands of visitors each year. Located approximately one hour north of Indianapolis and two hours south of Chicago, Purdue offers a warm, friendly atmosphere and a very walkable campus. This guide provides essential information to help you make the most of your visit, whether you're a prospective student, parent, alumni, or simply a fan.

Getting to Know Purdue

Founded in 1869, Purdue University stands as a leading institution known for its academic excellence in engineering, science, technology, and business. The university places a strong emphasis on innovation, hands-on learning, and global impact. With over 200 undergraduate majors and more than 160 graduate programs across 13 colleges and schools, Purdue offers a wide array of academic opportunities. The student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1 promotes strong academic engagement and collaboration.

Quick Facts

Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
Founded: 1869
Type: Public Research University
Student Body: Approximately 52,000 students (around 38,000 undergraduates and 14,000 graduate and professional students)
Acceptance Rate: Around 50%
In-State Tuition (Undergraduate): Approximately \$10,000
Out-of-State Tuition (Undergraduate): Approximately \$28,800
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1

A Welcoming Atmosphere

Despite its large size, Purdue projects a warm and intimate feel. The campus is designed to be walkable, with approximately a 20-minute walk from one side to the other. Purdue students and alumni are known as Boilermakers, a nod to the university's intercollegiate athletics teams.

Boilermaker Station Welcome Center

Your first stop should be the Boilermaker Station Welcome Center, located in Room 102 of Stewart Center. This serves as the main hub for welcoming alumni, students, faculty, staff, guests, friends, and fans. It also serves as the launching point for all admissions tours. Boilermaker Station welcomes more than 40,000 visitors every year.

Hours: Open ET for scheduled admissions tours and on home football games. On football game days, Boilermaker Station will be open for two hours before kickoff and close 30 minutes before the game begins.

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Amenities: Photo opportunities and light refreshments are available.

Must-See Campus Landmarks

Purdue's campus is rich in history and tradition, with several iconic landmarks that you should not miss.

The Purdue Bell Tower

Completed in 1995, the Bell Tower stands tall with the original bells from the original Heavilon tower. A popular myth surrounds the Bell Tower: students avoid walking directly underneath it, believing that doing so will prevent them from graduating in four years. Whether you believe the legend or not, it's a tradition to be aware of!

Engineering Fountain

Also known as the Purdue Mall Water Sculpture, the Engineering Fountain is a central gathering place connecting the Engineering Mall and Memorial Mall. Designed and built in 1989 as a gift from the Class of 1939, the fountain often hosts events and free giveaways.

Purdue Memorial Union (PMU)

The Purdue Memorial Union is a historical building featuring an ornate wooden upstairs and an industrial-style downstairs. Recently renovated, the PMU offers a variety of restaurants where meals can be purchased using meal swipes, and study spaces. Downstairs, you'll find the Union Rack and Roll and the Boiler Game Mine, perfect spots for relaxation and entertainment. The original building was completed in 1929 and maintains its elegance despite numerous remodels.

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Wilmeth Active Learning Center (WALC)

The Wilmeth Active Learning Center is a centrally located building that houses classrooms, a library, study spaces, and reservable meeting rooms. It showcases some of Purdue's medium-to-large lecture halls. Inside WALC, you'll find the Au Bon Pain Café and Bakery, offering coffee, salads, sandwiches, and snacks. The Knowledge Lab within WALC provides students with access to materials, equipment, and software for class projects.

Dudley and Lambertus Hall (Gateway Complex)

Dudley and Lambertus Hall, collectively known as the Gateway Complex, represent Purdue's newest addition to campus. This building houses the Women in Engineering Program (WiE Program) office, as well as programs like Engineering Projects and Community Service (EPICS), Global Engineering, and the Minority Engineering Program. Many First Year Engineering (FYE) classes are held here. The Gateway Complex also features numerous study rooms and a to-go coffee and snack location.

Discovery Park

Located near the Agricultural campus, Discovery Park is a bit further from the main academic area for Purdue engineers. It features newer engineering buildings, including the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Building (ABE) and the Biomedical Engineering Building (BME). The park is home to several laboratory and technical buildings, primarily occupied by graduate and PhD-level researchers. The VOSS Model of our solar system is one of the interesting sculptures to see.

France A. Cordova Recreational Sports Center (CoRec)

The CoRec is Purdue's student gym, offering a wide range of machines, equipment, dance studios, multi-purpose rooms, and courts for various sports. Students can also sign up for cooking and workout classes.

Meredith South

Located near Meredith and Earhart Residence Halls, Meredith South is a newer, women-only residence hall. It houses the Women in Engineering Program Learning Community, as well as other non-engineering learning communities. The building features study areas on each floor, a spacious lobby, and a Panera and Qdoba on the main floor.

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Dining Options

Purdue and West Lafayette offer a diverse culinary scene to satisfy any craving. Here are some popular options for coffee, lunch, casual dining, and more.

Coffee

Greyhouse Coffee and Supply Co.: Located right on campus, Greyhouse is a unique not-for-profit organization owned by Campus House, a college church community at Purdue. Every purchase supports organizations throughout Greater Lafayette, such as homeless shelters and hunger relief initiatives.

Lunch

Union Commons: Located on the ground floor of the Purdue Memorial Union, the Union Commons offers an array of quick eating options.
Pappy’s Sweet Shop: A student favorite since 1927, Pappy’s serves burgers and milkshakes in the basement of the Union.
Triple XXX Family Restaurant: This West Lafayette institution and the state’s oldest drive-in restaurant is known for its Duane Purvis Burger, an unusual pairing of melted cheese, pickles, and peanut butter.
Maru Sushi: Known for having the best sushi in town, Maru Sushi is always crowded.

Casual Dining

Bruno's: A Purdue institution serving American fare in a mountainside inn-like atmosphere.
Arni's: Known for its pizza and salads.
AJ’s: Serves Chicago-style hot dogs, gyros, Italian beef, and burgers. Students love the Chicago Dog.
Nine Irish Brothers: A classic pub offering hearty meals and live Irish music on the weekends.
Mad Mushroom: Well known at Purdue for their "Cheese Stixs" and late night hours.

A Step Up

La Scala: Located in historic downtown, La Scala is considered West Lafayette’s finest Italian restaurant, serving farm-fresh local food.
Bistro 501: An upmarket bistro serving cuisine with a French flair.

Late Night Snack

Mary Lou Donuts: A local tradition with people lining up for their classic donuts, apple fritters, and French crullers.

Experiencing Purdue Traditions

Purdue University is steeped in tradition, contributing to its vibrant campus culture and strong sense of community. Experiencing these traditions firsthand during your visit will give you a true sense of Boilermaker pride.

"All-American" Marching Band

The Purdue "All-American" Marching Band is renowned for its spectacular performances and precision. Catching a performance during a football game or special event is a must.

Lighting of the Boilermaker Special

The Boilermaker Special, Purdue's official mascot, is a replica of a 19th-century locomotive. The lighting of the Boilermaker Special is a cherished tradition that symbolizes Purdue spirit and engineering excellence.

Boiler Gold Rush

Boiler Gold Rush is Purdue's orientation program for incoming students. It's a high-energy, week-long event filled with activities designed to help students acclimate to campus life, make new friends, and learn about Purdue traditions.

Purdue Grand Prix

The Purdue Grand Prix is an annual go-kart race that takes place on campus. It's a highly anticipated event that showcases the university's engineering prowess and competitive spirit.

Fountain Runs

Fountain Runs are spontaneous celebrations where students gather to run through the campus fountains, particularly the Engineering Fountain. These impromptu events are a fun and refreshing way to celebrate victories and milestones.

Student Life and Campus Culture

Purdue's student life is vibrant and engaging, characterized by a strong sense of community and pride in its "Boilermaker" identity. With over 1,000 student organizations, there's something for everyone.

Diversity and Inclusion

Over 40% of Purdue University students come from out-of-state, with strong representation from Illinois, Ohio, California, Texas, and New York. This contributes to a diverse and nationally representative student body.

Navigating Campus

Purdue's campus is designed to be highly walkable and bike-friendly, with many students using bicycles to get around. The university also operates a comprehensive bus system (CityBus) that serves the campus and surrounding West Lafayette area, making travel convenient.

Admissions and Academics

Purdue University is known for its strong academic programs, particularly in STEM fields. The university offers over 200 undergraduate majors and more than 160 graduate and professional programs across its 13 colleges and schools.

Competitive Programs

Popular majors at Purdue University include various Engineering disciplines (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, Computer), Computer Science, Business, and Agricultural Sciences.

Admission Requirements

While Purdue considers many factors, admitted students typically have strong academic records, often with unweighted GPAs between 3.7 and 4.0. Competitive SAT scores usually fall between 1210-1440, and ACT scores between 27-33.

Career Prospects

Purdue graduates have excellent career prospects, benefiting from the university's strong reputation, robust career services, and a vast global alumni network.

Additional Resources

SchoolScoops: Offers private Purdue University tours tailored to your interests. Choose your own Purdue student tour guide and enjoy a personalized campus visit where you'll get candid answers to your questions.

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