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Should I use Purdue University?

Purdue University is a world-renowned, public research university that advances discoveries in science, technology, engineering and math. - purdue.edu

Depends. If you're a STEM-bound student — especially an Indiana resident — Purdue's decade-long tuition freeze and elite engineering brand make it a strong pick. If you want software, small classes, or a reliably smooth online experience via Purdue Global, look elsewhere.

Confidence

Medium. Based on 12 public sources; Purdue is a university, not software, so this report adapts the tool-fit framework to college choice.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of useA university, not software
  • Feature depth
  • Support qualityNo direct evidence on advising quality
  • Security posture

Pricing

In-state (West Lafayette)

Frozen base since 2012; see bursar

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Out-of-stateHigher; see bursar tables
Purdue GlobalSeparate rate card

Best for

  • Indiana residents chasing value
  • Engineering and CS aspirants
  • Research-minded grad students
  • Big Ten campus-life seekers

Not for

  • Software buyers — this is a university, not a tool
  • Students wanting small liberal-arts classes
  • Online-only learners; Purdue Global reviews are mixed

Gotchas - check before you buy

high

Applied around 2018? Watch for breach notification letters and credit monitoring

medium

Differential fees mean your major changes the real price; check bursar tables

medium

Guess: freeze covers base tuition; housing, dining, and program fees still rise

medium

Purdue Global operates differently from main campus; review tone diverges sharply

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Decade-plus tuition freeze keeps family costs predictable
  • World-renowned STEM and engineering reputation
  • Broad grants and federal aid programs listed

Cons

  • 2018 breach exposed data of 26,000 prospective students
  • Two incidents potentially compromised protected health information
  • 2026 third-party cyber incident affected some employees
  • Purdue Global reviews run mixed

Sources & method

Analyzed 9/24/2026 - 12 sources - No software CVEs apply, but three documented data incidents since 2018; one 2025 viral breach claim was ruled unfounded.

official x3review x4security x2news x3
  • 26K prospective-student data breach (2018), Personal info of 26,000 applicants exposed; Purdue tracked down those affected.
  • PHI-compromising incidents, Two security incidents potentially compromised protected health information.
  • Third-party cyber incident (2026), Notice issued that a third-party incident affected some Purdue employees.

Key stats

  • Value for money: 4/5

    Rating

  • Frozen base since 2012; see bursar

    Starting price

  • 12

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 4/5. Decade tuition freeze; strong STEM brand
  • Ease of use. A university, not software
  • Feature depth: 4/5. World-renowned STEM research programs
  • Support quality. No direct evidence on advising quality
  • Security posture: 2/5. 26K-applicant breach; PHI incidents; 2026 incident
  • 26,000 Applicant data exposed 2018 breach of prospective students
  • 10+ years Tuition freeze In-state base tuition held flat
  • 708 Purdue Global reviews On OnlineU; mixed tone

Pricing

In-state (West Lafayette)

Frozen base since 2012; see bursar

  • Base tuition flat 10+ years
  • Differential fees vary by major

Out-of-state

Higher; see bursar tables

  • Nonresident base rate
  • Program differential fees apply

Purdue Global

Separate rate card

  • Military servicemember rates
  • Mixed student reviews

Security

No software CVEs apply, but three documented data incidents since 2018; one 2025 viral breach claim was ruled unfounded.

  • 26K prospective-student data breach (2018)Personal info of 26,000 applicants exposed; Purdue tracked down those affected.⁸
  • PHI-compromising incidentsTwo security incidents potentially compromised protected health information.⁶
  • Third-party cyber incident (2026)Notice issued that a third-party incident affected some Purdue employees.⁷

What users say

Main-campus coverage on US News, Niche, and Reddit is brand-positive, while Purdue Global draws mixed feedback across 708 OnlineU reviews.

Full analysis

Based on 12 public sources; Purdue is a university, not software, so this report adapts the tool-fit framework to college choice.

Great-value STEM education, not software: strong brand, frozen tuition, but a real breach history and mixed Purdue Global reviews.

Methodology

Based on 12 public sources; Purdue is a university, not software, so this report adapts the tool-fit framework to college choice.

Sources

  1. Purdue University — US News profileusnews.com
    review
  2. Purdue University — Nicheniche.com
    review
  3. Purdue Global Reviews — OnlineUonlineu.com
    review
  4. Purdue University — TopUniversitiestopuniversities.com
    review
  5. Purdue data breach exposes 26K applicants — Redditreddit.com
    news
  6. Purdue breach potentially compromised PHI — HIPAA Journalhipaajournal.com
    security
  7. Third-party cyber incident notice — Purdue Newsroompurdue.edu
    security
  8. Purdue tracking 26K applicants after breach — Indiana Lawyertheindianalawyer.com
    news
  9. Purdue's decade-long tuition freeze — Purdue Newsroompurdue.edu
    official
  10. Undergraduate Tuition and Fees 2026-2027 — Purdue Bursarpurdue.edu
    official
  11. Costs of Purduepurdue.edu
    official
  12. Purdue officials say breach claim unfounded — JConlinejconline.com
    news

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