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Arizona State University vs Purdue University

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

88.0% ASU acceptance
53.0% Purdue acceptance
$19,144 Purdue cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

ASU
Tempe, Arizona
Public
Founded
1885
Enrollment
83,446
Setting
Urban
Purdue
West Lafayette, Indiana
Public
Founded
1869
Enrollment
51,344
Setting
Suburban

At a Glance

Tuition Purdue saves $2,406
ASU
$31,200
Purdue
$28,794
Acceptance Rate Purdue more selective
ASU
88.0%
Purdue
53.0%
Graduation Rate Purdue higher
ASU
69%
Purdue
83%
Avg SAT Score Purdue higher
ASU
1230
Purdue
1340
Starting Salary Purdue higher
ASU
$60,100
Purdue
$70,100

Detailed Comparison

Metric ASU Purdue Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$31,200$28,794Purdue
Tuition (In-State)$12,479$9,992Purdue
Room & Board$14,000$11,620Purdue
Acceptance Rate88.0%53.0%Purdue
Graduation Rate69%83%Purdue
Average SAT12301340Purdue
Student-Faculty Ratio18:114:1Purdue
Enrollment83,44651,344-
Avg Financial Aid$12,400$13,510Purdue
Starting Salary$60,100$70,100Purdue
Endowment$1.5B$3.8BPurdue
Campus Size1,695 acres2,468 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

ASU
$180,800
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
Purdue
$161,656
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: ASU = $131,200 | Purdue = $107,616. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

ASU Top Majors

BusinessEngineeringPsychologyBiologySupply Chain

Purdue Top Majors

EngineeringComputer ScienceBusinessBiologyAgriculture

Campus & Student Life

Setting
ASUUrban
PurdueSuburban
Campus Size
ASU1,695 ac
Purdue2,468 ac
Athletics
ASUNCAA D1
PurdueNCAA D1
Region
ASUWest
PurdueMidwest
Founded
ASU1885
Purdue1869
Enrollment
ASU83,446
Purdue51,344

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is ASU or Purdue harder to get into?+
Purdue is more selective with an acceptance rate of 53.0% compared to 88.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, ASU or Purdue?+
At sticker price, Purdue costs less over 4 years ($161,656 vs $180,800). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. ASU offers an average of $12,400/year in aid while Purdue offers $13,510/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for ASU and Purdue?+
The average SAT score at ASU is 1230 and at Purdue it is 1340. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do ASU or Purdue graduates earn more?+
Graduates of Purdue have a higher average starting salary ($70,100 vs $60,100). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
ASU has a 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio while Purdue has 14:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do ASU and Purdue compare for campus life?+
ASU is located in Tempe, Arizona (urban setting) with a 1,695-acre campus. Purdue is in West Lafayette, Indiana (suburban setting) with 2,468 acres. ASU competes in NCAA D1 athletics and Purdue in NCAA D1.