Purdue sees record enrollment

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — Enrollment at Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus has reached an all-time high. The university is reporting the campus has a record of 46,114 students, including the incoming class of nearly 9,000 students.

Purdue enrollment officers say the increased numbers are due to the Protect Purdue Plan and all the preparation done by faculty, staff and campus personnel. The school also created an online option, which enabled 4,900 students who could not be on campus to be able to take courses completely online. 

A new direct-admission program created in 2015 by Purdue President Mitch Daniels, Summer Start, which helps expand access to education for lower-income students was able to accommodate more than 300 students this year. 

 “Our staff and faculty have done a great job in reaching out in a variety of ways to welcome our new students, especially during the uncertainty of the spring. That commitment, as well as everyone’s flexibility, is why we are experiencing such large interest in Purdue and what our students and graduates can learn and apply out in the world,” said Kristina Wong Davis, vice provost for enrollment management. 

The university is also reporting graduation rates, both four and six year, for students who began in 2016 and 2014, respectively, increased to highs of more than 62% and 83%, which are both record highs.