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College comparison
Penn State vs Purdue
A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.
| Metric |  Penn State University Park, PA |  Purdue West Lafayette, IN |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance ratePurdue University-Main Campus is more selective | 61% | 50% |
| SAT (25–75) | 1240–1420 | 1200–1480 |
| ACT (25–75) | — | — |
| Undergrad enrollment | 42,284 | 44,503 |
| Avg net price | $32,875 | $14,600 |
| Median earnings (10 yr)Purdue reports higher median earnings | $63,435 | $72,424 |
| Graduation rate | 86% | 83% |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $19,500 |
| Economic mobility | — | — |
| Test policy | — | — |
| Type | Public | Public |
Quick answers
- Is Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus or Purdue University-Main Campus harder to get into?
- Purdue University-Main Campus is more selective: Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus's acceptance rate is approximately 61% and Purdue University-Main Campus's is approximately 50% (estimates from public and primary sources).
- What SAT score do you need for Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus vs Purdue University-Main Campus?
- The middle-50% SAT range is 1240–1420 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus and 1200–1480 at Purdue University-Main Campus. Scores outside these bands are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.
These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.