Purdue fall 2026 undergrad headcount hits 43,417 as incoming freshman class rises 13%
Purdue University reported overall undergraduate enrollment of 43,417 for fall 2026 and a 13% increase in its incoming freshman cohort to 10,818 students (10,173 in West Lafayette; 645 in Indianapolis). The university also posted gains in graduation and retention rates and added campus housing.
Purdue’s main campus recorded undergraduate enrollment of 43,417 for the fall 2026 semester, with the incoming freshman class up 13% from fall 2025 to 10,818 students (10,173 in West Lafayette and 645 in Indianapolis). The university’s census-day enrollment was recorded on 2026-09-10.
Purdue reported a record four-year graduation rate of 73.2%, a six-year rate near 84% and one-year retention just over 93%. Ahead of the semester the university added campus housing capacity — opening the eight-story South Hall in August 2026 and, combined with the August 2025 opening of 3rd & West, increasing West Lafayette housing by 1,900 beds — and reiterated a 14-year tuition freeze.
BusinessIndy examines this development and its implications for Indiana businesses and communities using the linked sources.
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