Purdue University
Public University in West Lafayette, Established in 1869
Purdue University is world renowned for providing an exceptional global education, preparing tens of thousands of local Hoosiers and international students for success in their future careers.
Since 1869, Purdue University has built a reputation as one of the world’s leading institutions for agriculture and engineering education. The university is best known for its cutting-edge research in high-demand fields such as AgTech, microelectronics, and biomedical engineering. However, Purdue’s degree programs span a diverse array of academic interests, including business, education, global studies, liberal arts, and more.
Today, Purdue consistently ranks among the Top 20 Public Universities in the United States and boasts the 4th Best Graduate Engineering School in the country. Over 50,000 graduate and undergraduate students are currently enrolled at the West Lafayette campus, alongside a substantial number of online learners.
Purdue distinguishes itself with a unique combination of advanced-degree programs, notable research opportunities, strong athletics, and affordable tuition—as the most cost-effective university in the Big Ten Conference. Purdue also stands out as a hub for international students pursuing STEM disciplines, as one of the top ten U.S. universities for international enrollment.
Bell Tower, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, Photo courtesy of Diego Delso, delso.photo, License CC-BY-SAUSA.
With more than 9,000 international students from over 120 different countries, Purdue University is a truly global community. These students benefit from a strong network of multicultural peers and mentors, including over 1,100 international faculty and staff members, and helpful resources from The Office of International Students and Scholars.
The Office plays an important role in fostering international connections by helping foreign students navigate their new home. Services include new student orientations, community host programs, and immigration assistance. The Office provides vital support for international students when they first arrive in the country, facilitating their transition into the local community.
Purdue also maintains The Center for Intercultural Learning, Mentorship, Assessment and Research (CILMAR) as a resource for faculty, staff, and students to develop skills for interacting successfully across cultural differences. CILMAR’s professional development programs help internationalize curricula and broaden students’ worldviews, while providing open-access research publications and teaching tools through its online Intercultural Learning Hub.
These initiatives reflect Purdue University’s commitment to providing a transformative, world-class education for all its students—both domestic and international. At its core, Purdue places a high value on enhancing students’ experience while expanding their global impact. That’s also why the Office of Programs for Study Abroad offers over 400 study abroad programs in over 50 countries, providing valuable opportunities for students to make progress toward their degree while gaining intercultural knowledge and competencies.
Purdue also collaborates with international partners to find solutions to the world’s most pressing problems—from food insecurity to climate change. The university has strong, country-level partnerships with India and Colombia that are more than a decade long, as well as agreements with more than one hundred institutions, government bodies, and other organizations worldwide, facilitated by its Office of Global Partnerships.
This strategic investment in international partnerships helps foster joint research and create opportunities for students to develop global competencies that will make them more competitive in a globalized career market. In essence, Purdue University is more than just an academic institution; it’s a bridge between Indiana and the world. It is a beacon of diversity, a cradle of innovation, and a catalyst for international collaborations.
Purdue helps prepare Boilermakers for the world, equipping them with skills and experiences they need to succeed after graduation and ultimately make a global impact.
By: Heidi Arola | Asst. Vice President, Global Partnerships and Programs, Purdue University
