Purdue University SAT & ACT Scores
In the fall 2025 entering class at Purdue University, enrolled students who sent the SAT had a middle 50% range of 1220–1470 and a median of 1360. The ACT middle 50% was 28–34. Purdue University admitted 43.4% of first-year applicants. Fall 2027 applicants are expected to submit an SAT, ACT, or CLT score; Purdue accepts an application without one only in exceptional cases.
Where does your score land?
Compared with Purdue University's enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class.
Is Purdue University test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
Purdue expects first-year applicants to submit an SAT, ACT, or CLT score, with no preference among them; it accepts an application without one only in exceptional cases where a student could not test.
Superscoring. Purdue University superscores the SAT and the ACT.
Checked October 29, 2026 on Purdue University's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Fall 2024 entryRequired policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsRequired
Purdue accepts the SAT, ACT, and CLT and has no preference among them. For a given test, you may report your highest score in each section across test dates. Scores must be from the past five years, and the optional ACT Science section is not required. If you have new scores after you apply, you can add them in the Purdue Application Portal. Indiana students who earn the Enrollment Honors Plus Seal are eligible for Indiana Pre-Admissions if they send a complete application, including a test score, by Nov. 1 of senior year.
Purdue University SAT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1220–1470, and the median was 1360.
SAT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| SAT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1220 | 1360 | 1470 |
| Reading & Writing | 610 | 670 | 730 |
| Math | 600 | 680 | 760 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores (Purdue West Lafayette, Purdue in Indianapolis and Polytechnic Statewide combined), fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 84% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score.
What your SAT means here
Among enrolled first-year students who sent the SAT, the middle 50% scored 1220–1470, and the median was 1360. A 1220 marked the 25th percentile and a 1470 the 75th. Evidence-Based Reading and Writing ran 610–730 and Math ran 600–760.
84% of enrolled first-year students submitted the SAT, compared with 23% for the ACT. Because Purdue expects a score, these ranges describe most of the class, not only students who chose to send one. Since the 2024–25 edition, Purdue's Common Data Set combines West Lafayette, Purdue in Indianapolis, and Polytechnic Statewide, so these ranges cover more than one location.
Purdue's first-year class profile breaks out SAT ranges by college, school, and competitive major, and Purdue tells applicants to pay particular attention to those numbers. Check the range for your intended program, not only the overall one.
Take full-length Digital SAT practice tests free, with an explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Purdue University ACT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 28–34 on the ACT, with a median of 32.
ACT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| ACT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 28 | 32 | 34 |
| English | 27 | — | 35 |
| Math | 27 | — | 34 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores (Purdue West Lafayette, Purdue in Indianapolis and Polytechnic Statewide combined), fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 23% of enrolled first-years sent an ACT score.
What your ACT means here
23% of enrolled first-year students sent the ACT. Their middle 50% composite was 28–34, with a median of 32. English scores ran 27–35 and Math scores ran 27–34.
Purdue has no preference between the ACT and SAT. You may use your highest section scores from different ACT dates when you report your full score, and the optional Science section is not required. A composite at or above 32 is in the upper half of enrolled students who reported the ACT.
Take full-length ACT practice tests free, with a worked explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Purdue University acceptance rate
Moderately competitive: 43.4% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2025 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants87,220
- Admitted37,881
- Acceptance rate43.4%
- Testing for fall 2027Required
Early application plans: Nonbinding Early Action (Nov. 1 deadline, also the deadline for full scholarship and Honors College consideration); no Early Decision.
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: Purdue University 2025–26 Common Data Set.
Purdue University offers nonbinding Early Action with a Nov. 1 deadline. That date is also the deadline for full scholarship consideration and for the John Martinson Honors College. Purdue does not offer Early Decision.
What to aim for
A practical target for Purdue University is an SAT at or above 1470 or an ACT at or above 34, the 75th percentile for enrolled students. If you're applying to a competitive major, look up that program's range in Purdue's class profile as well.
Purdue reviews applications individually and holistically. It focuses on your academic preparation for your intended major and your competitiveness in the applicant pool, given the space available. Grades in core academic courses and in courses tied to your major, the strength of your curriculum, and grade trends count alongside your score. Your essay, Purdue questions, and activities are also part of the review.
How Purdue University compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington | 41.7% | 1440 | 1320–1502 | 30–34 | Test-optional |
| Clemson University | 42.4% | — | 1250–1400 | 28–32 | Test-optional |
| University of Central Florida | 42.8% | 1280 | 1220–1350 | 25–30 | Required |
| Purdue University | 43.4% | 1360 | 1220–1470 | 28–34 | Required |
| University of California - Davis | 44.3% | — | — | — | Test-blind |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 45% | 1470 | 1410–1520 | 32–35 | Test-optional |
Frequently asked questions
Is Purdue University test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: Purdue expects first-year applicants to submit an SAT, ACT, or CLT score, with no preference among them; it accepts an application without one only in exceptional cases where a student could not test. Purdue University superscores the SAT and the ACT.
What is the average SAT score at Purdue University?
The median SAT score of enrolled first-years was 1360 (fall 2025 entering class). The middle 50% scored 1220–1470, so a quarter scored 1470 or higher.
What SAT score do you need for Purdue University?
A score at or above 1470 puts you in the top quarter of Purdue University's enrolled first-years, and 1220–1470 is the middle 50% (fall 2025 entering class).
What ACT score do you need for Purdue University?
Purdue University's enrolled first-years had a middle-50% ACT composite of 28–34, with a median of 32 (fall 2025 entering class). A 34 or above puts you in the top quarter.
What is Purdue University's acceptance rate?
Purdue University admitted 43.4% of first-year applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (37,881 of 87,220), which makes it moderately competitive.
How many Purdue University students submit test scores?
In the fall 2025 entering class, 84% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score and 23% submitted an ACT score. Some students send both.
What are your chances at Purdue University?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.