
Purdue University is an equal-access/equal-opportunity university that offers its students a variety of initiatives to improve diversity and inclusion. The Minority Engineering Program (MEP), for example, has been instrumental in the successful graduation of over 2,700 engineering students from underrepresented minority groups. While the university has a large international population, black, Hispanic, and Native American students are underrepresented compared to the white and Asian populations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total enrollment | 46,655 students |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 33,575 students |
| Graduate enrollment | 6,085 students |
| Gender diversity | 42% women, 58% men |
| Racial/ethnic diversity | Predominantly White and Asian, with a significant Indian population. Underrepresentation of Black, Hispanic, and Native students |
| Geographic diversity | 37.37% of students are from out of state, 12.64% are international students |
| Initiatives to improve diversity and inclusion | Minority Engineering Program, which has graduated over 2,700-3,000 underrepresented minority students |
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What You'll Learn
- Minority Engineering Program: A program to improve diversity and inclusion in the College of Engineering
- International student population: Purdue has a large international student population, with students from 135 countries
- Racial demographics: The university has a majority of white and Asian students, with Black, Hispanic, and Native American students underrepresented
- Gender diversity: Purdue has more male students overall, but the ratio varies across departments and programs
- Support for underrepresented groups: There are student groups and organizations that offer support and community for underrepresented minorities

Minority Engineering Program: A program to improve diversity and inclusion in the College of Engineering
The Minority Engineering Program (MEP) at Purdue University was established in 1974 as an initiative to improve diversity and inclusion in the College of Engineering. The program is committed to fostering an environment that celebrates cultural diversity across all engineering disciplines and promotes global learning opportunities.
While Purdue University has a large international population and is considered diverse compared to Indiana, certain racial minorities are underrepresented in its engineering programs, particularly African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans. Similarly, women are underrepresented in engineering, though biomedical engineering has the highest proportion of female students.
The MEP strives to address these disparities by attracting students from historically underrepresented groups while keeping its programs open to all. The program has been instrumental in the successful graduation of over 2,700 (some sources state over 3,000) engineering students from underrepresented minority backgrounds.
To achieve its goals, the MEP focuses on increasing K-12 students' focus on mathematics, science, and engineering, inspiring them to use these fields to serve humanity and improve the quality of life. The program also provides metrics and publications that stimulate dialogue and promote workforce diversity and inclusion. Purdue University is an equal access and equal opportunity institution, ensuring that all persons have equal access to its educational programs, services, and activities without regard to race, religion, colour, sex, age, national origin, or other factors.
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International student population: Purdue has a large international student population, with students from 135 countries
Purdue University has a large international student population, with students from 135 countries. The university ranks 244 out of 2,183 for geographic diversity, with 37.37% of students coming from out of state and 12.64% from outside the country. The international student population makes up part of the 46,655 students enrolled at Purdue, with 33,575 undergraduates and 6,085 graduates.
The Minority Engineering Program (MEP) at Purdue University was initiated in 1974 to improve diversity and inclusion in the College of Engineering. The program is committed to engineering research and knowledge-sharing with the international community and has been key to the graduation of over 2,700 underrepresented minority students. The program is open to all, but it strives to attract students from historically underrepresented groups, including African American, Hispanic American, and Native American students.
Purdue's international student population is diverse, with the majority of students coming from China, India, and South Korea. The university also has a significant number of Asian and Asian-American students, with one student noting that they "won't feel like the only Asian in a class." Additionally, there is a range of student groups and social connections that contribute to the diverse and inclusive environment at Purdue.
The university's total undergraduate population is made up of 42% women and 58% men, while the graduate population consists of 43% women and 57% men. Purdue's international enrollment ranks highly, contributing to its diverse student population.
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Racial demographics: The university has a majority of white and Asian students, with Black, Hispanic, and Native American students underrepresented
Purdue University is an equal access/equal opportunity university that offers its students a range of diversity and inclusion initiatives. The university has a total enrollment of approximately 46,655 students, with 33,575 undergraduates and 6,085 graduate students. The undergraduate population is made up of 42% women and 58% men, while the full-time graduate student population is 43% women and 57% men. The student body is diverse, with students from 47 states and 135 countries. The majority of international students come from China, India, and South Korea.
In terms of racial demographics, Purdue University has a majority of white and Asian students, with Black, Hispanic, and Native American students underrepresented. While the university does not provide specific racial demographic breakdowns, sources indicate that the Asian community is one of the largest minorities on campus. Additionally, the Minority Engineering Program at Purdue University was initiated in 1974 to improve diversity and inclusion in the College of Engineering. The program is committed to attracting students from underrepresented groups, including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans, and has successfully graduated over 2,700 engineering minority students.
Despite these efforts, some students have noted that the engineering classes at Purdue University lack diversity, particularly in the 2026 engineering class. One student shared their experience as the only Black student in several of their classes, highlighting the underrepresentation of Black, Hispanic, and Native American students. However, the same student also mentioned the presence of various student groups and organizations that offer additional support and community for minority students.
Purdue University recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion and strives to create an environment that fosters the celebration of cultural diversity. The university provides equal access to its educational programs, services, and activities, without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or other protected characteristics. With initiatives like the Minority Engineering Program and a commitment to equal opportunity, Purdue University is actively working to improve diversity and support minority students.
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Gender diversity: Purdue has more male students overall, but the ratio varies across departments and programs
Purdue University is an equal-access/equal-opportunity university that offers its students a range of initiatives to improve diversity and inclusion. The gender ratio at Purdue University is male-dominated, with 58% male and 42% female undergraduate students. However, this ratio varies across departments and programs. For example, the College of Engineering has historically lacked diversity, with women being a minority in the field. In response, the university established the Minority Engineering Program (MEP) in 1974 to improve diversity and inclusion within the college. MEP has been instrumental in the successful graduation of over 2,700 engineering minority students, with a particular focus on attracting African American, Hispanic American, and Native American students.
The gender disparity at Purdue University is not limited to the College of Engineering. According to a student in the FYE program, the 2026 engineering class also appears to lack diversity. However, the student body as a whole is diverse, with a significant international population. Purdue ranks 244 out of 2,183 in terms of geographic diversity, with 37.37% of students coming from out of state and 12.64% from outside the country.
While the overall gender ratio at Purdue University favours males, the situation varies across different departments and programs. For instance, biomedical engineering has been noted to have the highest proportion of female students among all engineering disciplines. Additionally, the presence of student groups and sororities, such as the Asian American sorority Alpha Delta Kappa Phi, provides additional support and contributes to a sense of community for minority students.
Purdue University's commitment to equal access and opportunity is further demonstrated by its faculty gender ratio, which stands at 97.51 out of 100, indicating a higher number of female teachers than male teachers. This ratio showcases the university's efforts to foster diversity and representation across its academic staff.
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Support for underrepresented groups: There are student groups and organizations that offer support and community for underrepresented minorities
Purdue University is committed to improving diversity and inclusion across its student body and in its College of Engineering. The university has an equal access/equal opportunity policy, which states that all persons have equal access to its educational programs, services, and activities without regard to race, religion, colour, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran.
The Minority Engineering Program (MEP) was initiated in 1974 to improve diversity and inclusion in the College of Engineering. MEP is committed to engineering research and knowledge sharing with the international community through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. The program strives to attract students from historically underrepresented groups, namely African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans, although it is open to all. MEP has been instrumental in the successful graduation of over 2,700 engineering students from underrepresented minority groups.
Purdue University has a large international population and is considered more diverse than Indiana as a whole. The undergraduate student body is spread across 47 states and 135 countries, with the majority of international students coming from China, India, and South Korea. The university ranks 244 out of 2,183 for geographic diversity, with 37.37% of students coming from out of state and 12.64% from outside the country.
Despite these efforts, some students have noted that certain minority groups remain underrepresented, particularly in the College of Engineering. Black, Hispanic, and Native American students are underrepresented compared to the white and Asian populations, and women are also a minority in engineering. However, there is additional support available from student groups, and there is a sorority specifically for Asian American women.
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Frequently asked questions
Initiated in 1974, the Minority Engineering Program (MEP) is one of several initiatives at Purdue University to improve diversity and inclusion in the College of Engineering. MEP is committed to engineering research and knowledge sharing with the international community through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. MEP has been the key to the successful graduation of more than 2,700 engineering underrepresented minority students to date.
Purdue University defines racial-ethnic minorities as those belonging to a group other than white, international, or unknown race/ethnicity. According to this definition, the university has a significant international population and is diverse compared to Indiana. However, Black, Hispanic, and Native American students are underrepresented compared to the White and Asian populations.
Yes, Purdue University offers support for minority students through various initiatives and programs. The university strives to attract students from historically underrepresented groups and provides an environment that fosters the celebration of cultural diversity across all disciplines.
Purdue University has a higher percentage of male students, with approximately 26,714 male and 19,941 female students as of 2023. However, the university has more female teachers, with approximately 5,951 female teachers compared to 5,662 male teachers.
Purdue University is an equal access/equal opportunity university. The university provides equal access to its educational programs, services, and activities, regardless of race, religion, colour, sex, age, national origin, disability, or other protected characteristics.











































