Purdue University - Main Campus Reviews

  • 213 Reviews
  • West Lafayette (IN)
  • Annual Tuition: $28,794
92% of 213 students said this degree improved their career prospects
94% of 213 students said they would recommend this school to others
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Student & Graduate Reviews

Lisa Madore
  • Reviewed: 7/10/2023
  • Degree: Social Work
"I would recommend this school to friends and family because of the way the professors and other students in the classroom helped me in graduating. But for the issues with things dealing with the situation with the school, there has been a real lack of communication, especially with my student advisor who has had no contact with me and contacted her on many occasions to try and figure things out. But other than this issue this has been an overall great experience."
jim m
  • Reviewed: 6/11/2022
  • Degree: Physics
"while I was at there, there are a few decent faculty and many lousy ones. the main problem is if you want a future career in industry. you need a professor of solid state physics or some thing relevant. physics dept dont have many decent solid state area professors at that time. and they don't like you choose a professor of another dept as well. although some professor of other dept were allowed to give some introduction on physics classes. but if you really did choose a professor outside they will give you a ugly look. 2, some, professors are treating their student as cheap labors and exploit them to the full possible way. for example graduate after eight years which is the maximum for a PhD degree. they should have some system to review this. to sum up, if you are not so good at handling the tricky politics , you better think carefully before you dive into a PhD program."
Bridgette Reshon Murray
  • Reviewed: 10/12/2021
  • Degree: Nursing
"I enjoyed my education but some situations were not so favorable. Some Teachers were harsh and arrogant. I did not feel that in the end of my last course, I was prepared on what to do and when to do it. I had to ask other students on what they did to complete the course"
Tymicka McClendon
  • Reviewed: 6/17/2021
  • Degree: Healthcare Administration
"Purdue's online program was great for me as working adult, and with a family. I loved how I had the different dates and time options to select my own class days and time to be online for the seminars. The instructors are awesome, they respond promptly to your emails. offered lots of help if needed. I really enjoyed taking my course for Healthcare Administration with Purdue University."
Yohana
  • Reviewed: 12/28/2019
  • Degree: Psychology
"I am so appreciative of my time at Purdue University. It was everything I could have hoped for and more. I would say for psychology majors specifically, you have to go out of your way to carve out experiences for yourself. Purdue provides amazing opportunities for research, but any other type of hands on training you will have to find for yourself. Personally, I wanted more exposure to Clinical Psychology and mental health treatment and I was able to get that outside of the university. Other than psychology specifically, Purdue is an incredible institution that provided me a social support and network, with adults that were truly on my side. BOILER UP!"
Erin VanHoosier
  • Reviewed: 9/29/2019
  • Degree: Nutrition
"I attended Purdue University because it was very close to home and many people in my family attended in the past. My degree was very science-based, so my courses in Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Biochemistry were all in very big lecture halls. Although these were big classrooms, the professors still tried their best to answer individual student questions. In addition, these big classes came with a ton of extra resources including multiple teaching assistants, recitations for extra practice, and office hours throughout the week. This made learning and asking questions a lot less intimidating. Since this is a Big 10 school, it is known to have higher standards in regards to giving out good grades. The curriculums are harder and you have to study harder to get good grades. My dietetics courses were very tough too. However, the dietetics courses had much fewer students. I am unsure of the exact number of students in the dietetics courses, but classes could range anywhere from 20 to 50 students. This is in comparison to the 200+ students in the science-based courses. I am very happy with my education because by having to work hard in my undergraduate years, I believe it has better prepared me in my Dietetic Internship. I also think that it will help me in obtaining a position as a Registered Dietitian due to the high reputation of Purdue alumni."
Erin VanHoosier
  • Reviewed: 9/29/2019
  • Degree: Nutrition
"I attended Purdue University because it was very close to home and many people in my family attended in the past. My degree was very science-based, so my courses in Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Biochemistry were all in very big lecture halls. Although these were big classrooms, the professors still tried their best to answer individual student questions. In addition, these big classes came with a ton of extra resources including multiple teaching assistants, recitations for extra practice, and office hours throughout the week. This made learning and asking questions a lot less intimidating. Since this is a Big 10 school, it is known to have higher standards in regards to giving out good grades. The curriculums are harder and you have to study harder to get good grades. My dietetics courses were very tough too. However, the dietetics courses had much fewer students. I am unsure of the exact number of students in the dietetics courses, but classes could range anywhere from 20 to 50 students. This is in comparison to the 200+ students in the science-based courses. I am very happy with my education because by having to work hard in my undergraduate years, I believe it has better prepared me in my Dietetic Internship. I also think that it will help me in obtaining a position as a Registered Dietitian due to the high reputation of Purdue alumni."
Katie Gruver
  • Reviewed: 9/26/2019
  • Degree: Human Services
"I loved my program at Purdue. The department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) was a well connected community full of students who all had the same goal: to help people and make an impact on their lives. The professors were extremely supportive and personable to each student who was enrolled in their class. Courses were relevant and engaging to the career paths human services professionals take while still being specific enough to grasp the interest of students with different career goals. I loved my time at Purdue and am very grateful for it."
Katherine Allsop
  • Reviewed: 8/9/2019
  • Degree: Psychology
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Purdue University. I feel that what they say about "your college experience is what you make it" really holds true at Purdue. There are tons of opportunities to get involved in clubs, students government, research, thesis projects, and more. However, it is also a large state school and you do not have to get involved in any such extra acitivity. The curriculum is rigorous, but some classes will be easier than others. The professors in the Psychological Sciences department were nothing short of amazing, and really encouraged undergraduate students to succeed and get invovled early, especially if graduate school is a possibility. I absolutely loved Purdue, from the dorm rooms (yes, they're old and don't all have A/C, but it builds character!) to the food courts, to classes, projects, and the people. On top of all of this, tuition has been frozen since I started in 2013, making it a great education for a great value!"
Elizabeth
  • Reviewed: 5/11/2019
  • Degree: Elementary Education
"Plus: The Elementary Education program at Purdue University prepares future educators by placing them in classrooms right away. You can expect to have a practicum experience in your first semester with gradual increase in responsibility leading up to a 15-week student teaching placement. The class sizes are small and I felt that the professors really cared about me and took an interest in my growth as an individual and an educator. Delta: As with any large state institution, you really have to advocate for yourself and your needs. Don't expect a lot of help with advising unless you are willing to make the calls and emails and stand up for what you need!"
AJF
  • Reviewed: 10/21/2018
  • Degree: Interior Design
"Purdue University has great classes, as do many other colleges. One thing that is very memorable about Purdue is how much they like to f*** their students over. I love on campus and work full time. So during football games or any games of sorts it is impossible to get to your dorm. I spend an average of 40+ minutes trying to find a way home from work on nights of games, when it would usually be a 5-10 minute drive. If you enjoy being used, over charged, treated like a number and not a person, and degraded by your teacher assistants, then Purdue is the school for you. If youre sensable and dont want to waste 100,000+ dollars then I suggest going somewhere more reasonable."
Sad
  • Reviewed: 10/17/2018
  • Degree: Biology
"I can't even begin to express the image others painted of Purdue. When I was first applying, they painted Purdue out to be the most amazing place on this planet. They spoke of nothing but kindness, cooperation, assistance and wonderful experiences. It was all of that and the words employees spoke to me that made me choose Purdue. I was so excited to start because I'd be in a new environment *I'm out of state*, I'd be challenged and I would be able to experience success. Well... that isn't quiet what happened... I had planned on double majoring in Animal Science and Biology and was told for several months by the head of both the College of Agriculture and the College of Science that I would be able to do such a double major. When I finally got there to plan out my schedule, my counselor informed me I couldn't do it. I was a little heart broken, but I understood why and decided to try out classes from both colleges to figure out if I should go with Biology or Animal Sciences. Though for my very first semester I was only taking 12 credit hours because nearly half of the classes I selected and their secondary options were already full. I was beaten down by this too, because I was hardly a normal student at that rate. Still, I decided to be optimistic about everything and take it day by day. Then classes started. I quickly learned that Purdue cares very little about your personal semidetached success. They will spend quiet some time telling you of all the amazing resources they have available to aid you, well that's not entirely true. If you are struggling in a class, or even on a certain lesson, finding help is difficult. I was struggling in Biology at the beginning of the year mostly because a lot of what was taught in the class reflected against stuff taught in High School AP Bio. Sadly, I never had the opportunity to take AP Bio so I was already behind. My professor only had one, and I do mean one, office hour during the week for at least 200 students. During that time I have class so I am unable to attend the hours. I figured I e-mail him and ask to meet outside of class for an hour or two just to help me further understand some of the material. I ended up in a fight with him over it, to where he was telling me just to go to the Bio help room. I eventually managed to get a 30 minute work session with him, and the entire time instead of answering my questions he repeatedly told me "You should already know this". Well.... if I did I wouldn't be asking for clarity or for further understanding. At this point I was really starting to feel myself gain more stress... I was trying as hard as I could to get help so I could do well on the first exam, I ended up with a D because not one person at Purdue was willing to help me. Now that has been my experience sadly, I just feel it should be known. The next thing are some of the coreq classes. To be specific, some corecs for the core classes are the biggest waste of my time to date. They're supposed to be there to go over and further explain lessons taught in the core classes. Too bad they teach anything but! They go over nothing but basic knowledge about Purdue. I am paying roughly $13,000 a semester and they're forcing me to waste my time in a class that's telling me how to look up a class? Is that not our counselors job to teach? Or even worse, was that not one of the things taught during the Purdue is for me day?? I felt absolutely cheated, and what's worse is that some of them do nothing but speak to you about clubs and fairs involving that college. I understand for some this is a great opportunity, however the classroom is for learning not advertising. I've wasted so many hours on these classes I feel robbed. To speak a little about scheduling, know that it is very complex. For a few assignments I had to create a plan for my 4 years at Purdue and I quickly learned how painful looking up courses was. For starters, the catalog does not always work and may some times tell you a certain class just doesn't exist. It doesn't list prereques or coreques or whether or not it counts towards your degree. Several lower end classes don't count towards your major at all so you end up falling behind 3-ish credits. Classes fill up so painfully fast if you need a certain class for your major or concentration you better be ready for a back up plan or look towards a summer semester. Reading the requirements for each degree is a painful task as well. For some majors, you must take a series of courses otherwise you can't graduate. It's some what unclear about the classes you can take, when you can take them and how they contribute to your selected major. Lastly I would like to talk about the people. Most people at Purdue are actually really nice. They're very diverse and range with personality types. Greek life is not a huge thing on campus and when it is, a lot of them are actually kind. Nevertheless, those who are mean are easy to point out. Just today I had someone nearly throw a door in my face, then shove me aside when I tried to avoid getting hit. I've also found a lot of people hold grudges or tend to be clingy towards other people and it can create a very toxic environment fast. You quickly learn who is a friend and who is a foe. On the bright side, with such a large campus it is very unlikely you will run into these types of people... but believe me when I say if you do, run. Purdue is not an awful place for everyone, quiet frankly most people fall in love with it. I, however, have had the absolute worst experience. The stress and confusion has gotten so bad my physical health is being affected. If you are a student who experiences stress very easily, strives for perfection or holds yourself higher then you should (much like me) Purdue is not for you. They will shred you apart and there is nothing you can do about it. I too was told of how incredible the school was, but I fail to take myself as a student into consideration while committing. I plan on transferring next semester because I do not want to end up in the hospital again over the amount of hatred and anger I express towards the school. I would say Purdue is only for those who are the very top of their class. Just because you got in doesn't mean you are going to do well. On my Purdue is for me day, the head of the science department made it abundantly clear most students would fail at Purdue, and why I never took that as a warning sign is beyond me. I just hope this review helped to show you what it's like for students who may be at the bottom like I was. Please take every precaution when looking at Purdue because it can make or break you so easily. If you're a student who needs a lot of help in classes you struggle with, Purdue is not for you unless you want to pay $100+ an hour for a tutor. So whomever is reading this I hope you have the best of luck when applying to Purdue, I certainly hope your experience is far better then mine :)"
neveragain
  • Reviewed: 6/19/2018
  • Degree: Nursing
"This was not a good choice for an out of state student. The program is ok however Purdue is in the middle of NOWHERE> very hard to make friends unless if your in a sorority or fraternity. My opinion is that there are a lot of holy rollers in the middle of nowhere and some are even borderline creepy. It makes sense if your an Indiana resident because you are probably used to the weirdness already or creepy yourself. The professors are hit or miss - many are older and the classes are ridiculously large. The weather is awful and the football games not even worth going. I chose Purdue for the program and big ten aspect - This might be a big ten but it really is not. no comparison to other universities. Do your homework before choosing Purdue. lots of cornfields and nothing to do."
Kevin Melanson
  • Reviewed: 5/30/2018
  • Degree: Hospitality Management
"Purdue University is a spectacular school that is worthy of helping you become successful in your professional life. It provides you with an excellent academic system, extracurricular activities, and environment. Purdue is also part of the BigTEN which creates an even larger community that you are connected to. There are also student/alumni organizations located around the United States (and possibly world) that you can connect with. Within these organizations you are able to earn scholarships for school and network with other current students, alumni, and fans. Purdue is known for its engineering program. The schools mascot is based around this major. Purdue is also extremely highly rated in many other academic fields. Some of these fields include: Veterinary, Business, Computer Science, Hospitality and Tourism Management, and many more. I am an active member of the local Purdue alumni group and have a leadership position to help raise more money for incoming freshman students. I am also still in contact with professors and make sure to keep in touch with them via phone, email, and social media. The professors there are extremely warm, smart, and approachable. You will not make a mistake by visiting Purdue and experiencing an amazing school that has nearly endless possibilities. Keep your head high and you will love your end result."
Chantel
  • Reviewed: 4/14/2018
  • Degree: Biomedical Engineering
"We've had a lot of technical issues this year. The wifi has been terrible, Blackboard (the main interface where you can see all your classes and assignments) has had a lot of problems, and there was a power outage that caused all the main Purdue sites and the wifi to crash much longer than the power outage actually lasted. It's been very frustrating, and the professors might not even extend the deadlines when things like this happen. I wouldn't be even posting this if Blackboard wasn't down right now. More generally, the engineering classes are really hard here at Purdue, but they can be very rewarding."
Allison K
  • Reviewed: 12/30/2017
  • Degree: Nursing
"Purdue University provided me with an extremely informative nursing education and really prepared me for the real world. If it was not for my education at Purdue University, I do not think I would be where I am at today. I have grown to value this educational opportunity more than I thought I ever would."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 9/1/2017
  • Degree: Engineering
"Great campus, friendly people. Constantly under construction, so getting around can be difficult at times. Newer buildings much nicer than older ones."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 9/1/2017
  • Degree: Accounting
"College was an extraordinary experience. In my opinion, by going to college I grew as a person not only as a student. I learned more about myself and my strengths and weaknesses and was given the opportunity to take a number of courses that expanded my knowledge base."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 9/1/2017
  • Degree: Economics
"The programs and the teachers were good. However, the Master's program was a bit isolated, only in two buildings, and focused so much on theory. Theory is great, I suppose, if you want to move on to get your PhD, but for someone who wasn't, I really would have appreciated more real world curriculum."
Alex K
  • Reviewed: 8/24/2017
  • Degree: Environmental Engineering
"Purdue University offered a great undergraduate experience in their engineering program. I began as an undecided engineering student, and by my 3rd semester had found a perfect program to study, Environmental and Ecological Engineering (EEE). EEE was a very robust and multidisciplinary program with broad research and focus opportunities tailored to student passions. Faculty were always available to students and very much cared about them. EEE at Purdue prepared me very well for starting my career. The on-campus resources of Purdue University as a whole are top-tier. Housing, recreation, dining, and extracurricular opportunities were provided and well cared for by the university. I would highly recommend the university to any and all students wishing to attend."