Purdue University is a public land-grant research university in West Lafayette, Indiana, and the flagship campus of the Purdue University system. The university was founded in 1869 after Lafayette businessman John Purdue donated land and money to establish a college of science, technology, and agriculture in his name. The first classes were held on September 16, 1874, with six instructors and 39 students. The main campus in West Lafayette offers more than 200 majors for undergraduates, over 69 masters and doctoral programs, and professional degrees in pharmacy and veterinary medicine. In addition, Purdue has 18 intercollegiate sports teams and more than 900 student organizations. Purdue is the founding member of the Big Ten Conference and enrolls the second largest student body of any university in Indiana, as well as the fourth largest foreign student population of any university in the United States.
Type | Public flagship land-grant research university |
Established | May 6, 1869 |
Founder | John Purdue |
Parent institution | Purdue University system |
Academic affiliations | AAU, URA, AUM, Sea-grant, Space-grant |
Endowment | $2.59 billion (2020) |
Budget | $2.5 billion (2020–21) |
President | Mitch Daniels |
Provost | Jay T. Akridge |
Academic staff | 3,055 (Fall 2014) |
Students | 45,869 (Fall 2020) |
Undergraduates | 34,920 (Fall 2020) |
Postgraduates | 10,949 (Fall 2020) |
Campus | Small city: 2,602 acres, plus 15,325 acres for agricultural and industrial research |
Colors | Old Gold and black |
Mascot | Boilermaker Special, Purdue Pete |
Sporting affiliations | NCAA Division I – Big Ten |
About Purdue University
West Lafyette, Indiana-based university that enrolls around 40,000 students annually. The university is a land, sea and space grant institute.
Achievement of Purdue University
The university was birthed following the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act of 1862.
Top Facts You Did Not Know About Purdue University
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Latest information about Purdue University updated on July 28 2021.