Description
Successful Indiana colleges have three things in common: a strong agricultural program, a powerhouse basketball team, and a conservative student body. Purdue University has all of these—plus one of the nation’s strongest engineering programs, and the distinction of having awarded more bachelor’s degrees in the field than any other institution. Purdue is also home to the nation’s first computer science department, and its programs in pharmacy, nursing, and management are likewise strong. Budding classicists, dramatists, and vocalists probably should look elsewhere, as liberal arts are not Purdue’s forte. But those seeking small-school friendliness with big-school spirit may be very happy here. “There are so many opportunities for a student to get involved,” explains a junior.
Purdue is the main attraction in the small industrial town of West Lafayette, where the population triples when students return each fall. The campus features redbrick and limestone buildings arranged around lush shaded courtyards. Recent construction includes Merriott Hall and the France A. Cordova Recreational Sports Center.
Students apply to and enroll in one of Purdue’s 10 schools, and academic requirements vary with the school and the major. Typically, they include English, math, a lab science, and perhaps speech or foreign language proficiency. Engineering is the most popular program, followed by biology, management, computer science, and health and kinesiology. Students flock to the five-year engineering co-op program, one of the most competitive on campus, because it marries classroom study with real-world work. Purdue also offers a strong undergraduate program in flight technology, which includes hands-on training at the university’s own airport. Purdue has produced more than 20 astronauts, including Neil Armstrong and Gus Grissom. Also strong are programs in veterinary medicine and hospitality and tourism. Study abroad options are available at over 200 sites in more than 50 countries.