Understanding the Cost of Attendance at Purdue University
Planning for college expenses is a crucial part of the application process. Understanding the cost of attendance and available financial aid options is the first step toward effectively managing these costs. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the cost of attendance at Purdue University, including tuition, fees, and other expenses, as well as available financial aid resources.
What is the Cost of Attendance?
The "Cost of Attendance" (COA) represents the total amount of money the average student needs to pay, before any financial aid, to attend a particular school. It is essentially the school's sticker price. The Cost of Attendance at Purdue varies depending on whether you are an in-state or out-of-state student; in-state students generally have lower tuition and fees.
Purdue University Tuition and Fees
Unlike many other universities, Purdue has committed to freezing its tuition costs at the 2012 rate. This makes Purdue the most affordable Big Ten school.
For the academic year 2024-2025, tuition for Indiana residents is approximately $9,992 per year. For non-residents, tuition is about $28,794 per year. These figures include both tuition and fees, also referred to as the sticker price.
Tuition and Fees (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 Semesters)
For the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters, the estimated tuition and fees are:
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- Indiana Residents: $8,672
- Non-Indiana Residents: $12,968
- International Students: $20,190
Other Costs to Consider
Beyond tuition and fees, students should also budget for:
- Room and Board: On-campus housing and meal plans average around $10,030 per year for all students. For fall 2025 and spring 2026, the estimated costs are:
- On Campus: $9,077
- Off Campus: $9,577
- At Home: $3,481
- Books and Supplies: The estimated cost for books and supplies is approximately $608 per year (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters). However, other sources estimate this cost to be around $1,160 per year.
- Personal Expenses: Miscellaneous personal expenses amount to roughly $2,000 per year (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters). Other sources estimate this cost to be around $3,160 per year.
- Transportation: Transportation costs vary depending on the living situation. For fall 2025 and spring 2026, the estimated costs are:
- On Campus: $2,212
- Off Campus: $3,023
- At Home: $3,023
- Loan Fees: Based on actual loan fee charged.
Total Cost of Attendance
The total cost of attendance is the sticker price, plus the cost of food and housing, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses. For instance, the total cost is $23,382 for in-state students and $42,184 for out-of-state students.
Estimated Costs for One Year (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 Semesters)
For full-time students taking 12-18 credit hours per semester, the estimated costs for one year (fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters) are summarized in the table below:
| Expense Category | In-State | Non-Indiana | International |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $8,672 | $12,968 | $20,190 |
| Housing and Food (On Campus) | $9,077 | $9,077 | $9,077 |
| Transportation (On Campus) | $2,212 | $2,212 | $2,212 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Books and Supplies | $608 | $608 | $608 |
| Total (On Campus) | $22,569 | $26,865 | $34,087 |
| Housing and Food (Off Campus) | $9,577 | $9,577 | $9,577 |
| Transportation (Off Campus) | $3,023 | $3,023 | $3,023 |
| Total (Off Campus) | $23,248 | $27,544 | $34,766 |
| Housing and Food (At Home) | $3,481 | $3,481 | $3,481 |
| Transportation (At Home) | $3,023 | $3,023 | $3,023 |
| Total (At Home) | $17,184 | $21,480 | $28,702 |
Financial Aid Options at Purdue University
Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study jobs. The financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
- Financial Aid Application Due: April 15
Types of Financial Aid
Purdue University offers various types of financial aid to help students manage the cost of attendance:
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- Scholarships: Scholarships are gift aid that does not need to be repaid.
- Grants: Like scholarships, grants are gift aid that does not need to be repaid. The average need-based scholarship or grant award is $13,144.
- Loans: Loans must be repaid with interest. The average need-based loan amount is $3,988. The typical amount of loans a student must pay back after graduation is $30,506.
- Federal Work-Study: This program provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for educational expenses.
Financial Aid Statistics
- Students Receiving Financial Aid: 30.23%
- Freshmen With Need and Received Financial Aid: 81.68%
- Percent of Need Met: 72.13%
- Average Aid Package Awarded: $14,019
Loan Information
- Percentage of Students Taking Out Federal Loans: 37%
- Average Annual Federal Loan Amount: $5,540
- Percentage of Students Taking Out Private Loans: 10%
- Average Private Loan Amount: $7,866
Net Price and Net Price Calculator
The Net Price is the total cost of attending minus the total aid given. In other words, this is the price you have to pay to the school out of pocket. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies.
- Average Net Price: $12,576 per year
Purdue offers a Net Price Calculator to help students estimate their net cost. To use the Purdue Tuition Calculator, you need to enter your family’s financial details. The Purdue Tuition Calculator will then give you a net price estimate per semester, helping you understand what the Purdue cost of attendance will look like for you.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
The US government has developed a standardized way to calculate how much a typical family can afford to pay without help, known as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Colleges use this number as a guideline to decide how much aid to give you.
Purdue University Fort Wayne Cost of Attendance
The cost of attending Purdue University Fort Wayne varies depending on several factors, including where a student chooses to live, travel expenses, food costs, and enrollment in a specific program or college/school.
Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 Undergraduate Cost of Attendance (Billed Expenses)
| Expense | Resident/Ohio Reciprocity | Contiguous States/Midwest Student Exchange Program | Nonresident | International |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $9,532.20 | $14,298.30 | $23,573.72 | $24,427.66 |
| Food | $4,402 | $4,402 | $4,402 | $4,402 |
| Housing | $7,299.54 | $7,299.54 | $7,299.54 | $7,299.54 |
| Subtotal | $21,233.74 | $25,999.84 | $35,275.26 | $36,129.20 |
| Books/Course Materials/Supplies/Equipment | $2,990 | $2,990 | $2,990 | $2,990 |
| Transportation | $1,551 | $1,551 | $1,551 | $1,551 |
| Miscellaneous | $2,360 | $2,360 | $2,360 | $2,360 |
| Subtotal (Other Expenses) | $6,901 | $6,901 | $6,901 | $6,901 |
| Total | $28,134.74 | $32,900.84 | $42,176.26 | $43,030.20 |
Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 Graduate Cost of Attendance (Billed Expenses)
| Expense | Resident/Ohio Reciprocity | Nonresident | International |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $6,268 | $14,613.60 | $15,191.04 |
| Food | $4,402 | $4,402 | $4,402 |
| Housing | $7,299.54 | $7,299.54 | $7,299.54 |
| Subtotal | $17,969.54 | $26,315.14 | $26,892.58 |
Banded Tuition
Purdue University offers banded tuition, which provides several benefits. Students taking between 12 and 18 credit hours per semester pay a flat rate.
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Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 Undergraduate Tuition (per semester)
| Classification | Fewer than 12 credit hours | 12-18 credit hours (flat rate, banded) | More than 18 credit hours (flat rate plus credit rate for hours over 18) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident | $317.74/credit | $4,766.10 | $4,766.10 + $317.74/credit |
| Ohio Reciprocity | $317.74/credit | $4,766.10 | $4,766.10 + $317.74/credit |
| Contiguous States | $476.61/credit | $7,149.15 | $7,149.15 + $476.61/credit |
| Midwest Student Exchange Program | $476.61/credit | $7,149.15 | $7,149.15 + $476.61/credit |
| Online Undergraduate Degree Programs (Domestic Nonresidents) | $476.61/credit | $7,149.15 | $7,149.15 + $476.61/credit |
| Nonresident | $785.79/credit | $11,786.86 | $11,786.86 + $785.79/credit |
| International | $814.25/credit | $12,219.83 | $12,219.83 + $814.25/credit |
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