Support Your Student
Help your student choose a college with confidence. Explore the six factors that matter most-from finding the right fit and academic program to understanding career outcomes, campus life, and cost.
Deciding which college to attend is the first step in your student's journey to their future career. But just because it's one small step doesn't make it any less daunting-or complicated.
With so many variables to consider, Purdue Polytechnic is here to assure you that we've got you and your student's needs covered.
The Polytechnic, Purdue University's college for technology studies, is proud to accept a new generation of Boilermakers every year. That's why we're here to assure you that the six biggest areas of interest for parents and students alike—the 6 Cs-are taken care of at Purdue Polytechnic.
The 6 Cs of College Choice
Calling
What do you want your student to get out of their college experience? A sense of purpose? To find out what they're good at? To make connections that will set them up for the future? Purdue Polytechnic knows that the reasons for attending college are as diverse as our students.
Our mission statement: To provide students, who are first in everything we do, with an applied education rooted in research and innovation, that equips them to tackle real-world challenges and advance technology for the betterment of society. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that emphasizes practical problem-solving, thinking critically, and fostering deep connections with industry.
With Purdue Polytechnic's persistent pursuit of the latest and greatest in technology, you can rest assured that your student will have a career that is: 1) relevant, 2) speaks to their passions, and 3) makes a difference:
"Purdue showed me how to push past what I thought my limits were and to continue fighting for myself and my dreams."
- Kate Wierzbinski
Cybersecurity
Curriculum
Purdue Polytechnic is the college for technology at Purdue University, and it offers 25+ majors and 14+ minors across six academic schools and departments for your student to explore. If your student's interests lie in cybersecurity, engineering technology, the aviation industry, construction, digital design, leadership — among many others — there is a place for them at Purdue Polytechnic.
With our faculty, students are in good hands: Purdue Polytechnic's professors and lecturers have decades of direct industry experience. No matter what major your student is in, they will have access to educators with relevant, real-world training in the most up-to-date, industry-standard technology.
Curriculum highlights at a glance: Between our 24:1 faculty/student ratio, endless options for professional accreditation in your student's field of study, built-in internship opportunities, industry-connected senior capstone projects, and plentiful study abroad opportunities, Purdue Polytechnic can ensure that your student gets the most out of their education.
College Culture
West Lafayette
As one of the 11 academic colleges at Purdue University, our students are immersed in the Big 10 college town of West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue Polytechnic's classroom buildings and labs are spread across this 2,600+ acre campus—from the historic home of engineering technology (Knoy Hall), to Indiana's second-busiest airport (Niswonger Aviation Technology building), to the modern tech marvels of Dudley and Lambertus Halls.
Polytechnic students can make use of all of Purdue's high-tech facilities such as the Smart Learning Ecosystem, which will prepare them for working and learning in a world where automation, robotics, and complex digital problem-solving are the norm.
Don't forget the incredible school culture around athletics, which make game days at Mackey Arena, Ross-Ade Stadium and beyond into unforgettable experiences that will provide a lifetime of memories for your future Boilermaker. Your student will be in the midst of a campus that is high-tech, exciting, and safe.
Indianapolis
At Purdue University in Indianapolis, the city itself serves as an extension of the classroom. Students live and learn in a vibrant metropolitan environment filled with diverse dining, arts, and entertainment. Student life frequently intersects with major events hosted in downtown Indianapolis—including the U.S. Olympic Trials, Big Ten championships, and the NCAA Final Four.
Students in Indianapolis attend classes in shared, multi-use buildings designed to foster seamless teamwork. This environment requires students from various majors to collaborate on complex projects, replicating the daily realities of the modern technology workforce.
The downtown location places students steps away from their future employers. Industry partners directly support Purdue Polytechnic's physical presence in the city; local companies donated the space for the Construction Management program, making Purdue Polytechnic one of only two colleges in the city operating in an industry-provided facility. This unique proximity guarantees that students build direct professional networks with the companies actively hiring in their fields.
Community
West Lafayette
Purdue offers a massive campus with a place for everyone. Plus, Purdue Polytechnic specifically provides dozens of student organizations to help your student find their fit.
Purdue Polytechnic students often choose to join Learning Communities. These residential programs group students with similar academic interests in the same residence halls. Students in Learning Communities take classes together and participate in exclusive events. This shared environment helps freshmen build an immediate support network and form lasting friendships.
"You have an opportunity to be a part of a groundbreaking community with other students. In a learning community, you can make some of your closest friends at Purdue who have the same interests as you!"
- Paul Thomas, Professor and Co-founder, Cybersecurity Learning Community
Purdue Polytechnic hosts Techie Tuesdays several times a month, where students are invited to join us for free food and can engage directly with their peers. These events bring students together to share ideas and celebrate diverse perspectives outside of formal lectures.
Polytechnic students use the college's 60+ student organizations to apply course concepts in social settings. Faculty, staff, and graduate teaching assistants provide dedicated support for these organizations.
Don't forget the incredible school culture around athletics, which make game days at Mackey Arena, Ross-Ade Stadium and beyond into unforgettable experiences that will provide a lifetime of memories for your future Boilermaker. Your student will be in the midst of a campus that is high-tech, exciting, and safe.
Indianapolis
Purdue University in Indianapolis embraces an urban, startup culture. The campus attracts creators, innovators, and thinkers who want to build solutions in a metropolitan setting.
That's why Polytechnic students in Indianapolis have the unique opportunity to build the community they want to see. We have an active student body that loves to found their own clubs and organizations. Students use this process to build their resumes and expand their leadership skills.
The campus hosts many active Polytechnic affinity groups, which are directly tied to their learning objectives. Students can join organizations like PINSecurity, the Themed Entertainment Club, and Women in Cybersecurity to connect with peers who share their specific professional interests.
Career
Purdue Polytechnic has designed our programs to produce high "return-on-education," from job placement rates to salary and beyond. In our academic departments, students must complete internships and applied experience hours to meet their graduation requirements.
Students connect with companies at numerous university and school-specific career fairs. These events go beyond meet-and-greets with industry professionals; students attend career fairs to receive resume feedback, practice interview skills, and gather information about industry expectations.
The college's Office of Industry Engagement builds direct partnerships with global corporations. These industry partners frequently send guest speakers into our classrooms and labs. Students also leverage strong alumni networks and direct faculty connections to launch their careers.
Plus, Purdue University in Indianapolis provides students with direct access to a major metropolitan job market. Students frequently work in local industries while attending classes. The campus hosts exclusive, location-specific career fairs to connect students with Indianapolis-based employers.
Students in both West Lafayette and Indianapolis participate in university-wide projects like the Data Mine. These academic programs match student teams with corporate sponsors to solve actual business challenges. Our graduates enter the workforce with resumes full of relevant professional experience.
Cost
Purdue University, and Purdue Polytechnic specifically, are committed to the highest return-on-investment for your student.
At the university level: Purdue has frozen tuition for 14 consecutive years. Students at both the West Lafayette and Indianapolis locations benefit from this tuition freeze. This makes Purdue well below the average cost for a world-class education.
At the college level: Purdue Polytechnic offers extensive financial support to our students. Scholarships are awarded based on both merit and financial need. You can view departmental award opportunities on our scholarship portal:
We also provide location-specific financial aid to students attending Purdue University in Indianapolis. In-state students at the Indianapolis location can receive exclusive, renewable scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 annually.
Indiana residents have access to several dedicated state and university funding programs. Purdue administers the Boiler Gold Grant to cover remaining tuition and estimated book costs for qualifying students. The university also supports 21st Century Scholars through the Purdue Promise program. Purdue Promise provides eligible Indiana students with financial assistance and one-on-one coaching to help them graduate debt-free.