Purdue University Ranking 2025–26: QS, THE, US News & Subject-wise Analysis

Purdue University, established in 1869 in West Lafayette, Indiana, has built a reputation as one of America’s leading public research institutions. Best known for the world-class courses offered at Purdue University  across disciplines like engineering, technology, and science, it attracts students from over 130 countries, creating a truly global learning environment. 

When it comes to Purdue University ranking, the institution consistently performs among the best globally. In the Purdue University QS ranking 2026, it stands at #88 globally, while the Purdue University world ranking by Times Higher Education (THE) 2025 places it at #79. Additionally, the U.S. News & World Report 2025 lists Purdue at #46 among the Best National Universities, making it one of the top universities in the US. 

This strong Purdue University ranking worldwide demonstrates its commitment to innovation, student success, and impactful research. Students planning to apply can check the Purdue University admission requirements to understand eligibility, deadlines, and application steps. For those seeking financial support, several Purdue University scholarships are available to international students based on merit and need. Students can also explore the Purdue University acceptance rate to better understand their chances of admission. 

Let’s take a closer look at Purdue University ranking in this blog. 

Purdue University Rankings 2025-26

Purdue University continues to strengthen its global academic reputation, as reflected in its performance across major rankings from 2024 to 2026.  Purdue University ranking in  U.S. News and Purdue University QS ranking show consistent growth, while its Purdue University world ranking  in THE highlights its global standing. 

Let's take a look at Purdue University's rankings: 

• Purdue University QS ranking improved from #99 in 2024 to #88 in 2026, showing steady upward progress. This rise is driven by stronger employer reputation, research output, and academic citations, making Purdue more visible globally. 
• In U.S. News (National) Purdue entered the Top 50 U.S. universities at #46 in 2025, and maintained its position in 2026. This stability indicates consistent academic quality and competitiveness among U.S. public universities. 
• THE Purdue University world ranking advanced from #86 in 2024 to #79 in 2025. The 2026 results are yet to be announced, but the positive trajectory suggests further gains, especially in areas like research influence and international outlook. 

Overall, Purdue University ranking worldwide reflect a clear upward trend, strengthening its image as a top-tier U.S. research university with global recognition. 

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Let's discuss Purdue University rankings for subjects in detail: 

QS World Rankings 

Purdue University has earned an impressive position in the QS World University subject rankings, highlighting its academic strength across key disciplines.  

Notably, Purdue University engineering ranking #29 highlights the university’s excellence in technology and computer science. 

Here's the ranking of various Purdue University courses based on the QS World ranking: 

Now, let's look at Purdue University's Times Higher Education Rankings.

THE (Times Higher Education) Rankings 

Purdue University strong performance is also reflected in the Purdue University CS ranking (47), showcasing excellence in computer science alongside its achievements in Purdue University engineering ranking which is #30. 

Here's how different courses at Purdue University rank based on THE rankings: 

Next, let's discuss the US news rankings for Purdue University 

U.S. News Rankings 

Purdue University continues to earn national recognition across various disciplines in the U.S. News rankings. Purdue University CS ranking #9 and Purdue University engineering ranking (8) reflect its growing contributions to technology and innovation, highlighting excellence in STEM fields. 

Here's a look at Purdue University rankings for popular programs:

Now, let's take a look at how Purdue University performs in other diversified rankings. 

Miscellaneous Ranking 2025 

Purdue University is recognized for both research impact and sustainability. It ranks among the top 10% globally for most cited publications in the CWTS Leiden Ranking. It falls within the 201–300 band in the THE Impact Rankings, reflecting its global research strength and commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and education system in the US. 

Here are some of the Purdue University rankings in miscellaneous areas:  

Let's explore the academic and extracurricular achievements that demonstrate the academic standing of Purdue University. 

Purdue University: Excellence and Achievements 

Purdue University is renowned for its strong focus on science, technology, and agriculture. Purdue is a proud member of the Association of American Universities. Its legacy of excellence is reflected in the remarkable achievements of its alumni, including 13 Nobel laureates, a Turing Award winner, and 27 astronauts, highlighting its global impact in innovation and discovery. 

Below is an overview of the Purdue University ranking and recognitions across key areas: 

Academic Excellence and National Recognition 

Purdue University is nationally recognized as a Top Producing Institution for the Fulbright Program, with 14 students and 7 faculty recipients. It also supports advanced research through one of the largest cycle recovery systems in academia, serving campus and national users. 

Here are the significant academic and national recognitions:  

Next, let's see how Purdue University has been developing its student community as an inclusive one. 

Community and Lifestyle Recognitions 

Purdue University has created a strong campus culture grounded in ethics, innovation, and community engagement. The university celebrates ethical leadership through its Walk the Talk Awards, recognizing integrity and compliance across the campus.  

Purdue's commitment to quality digital learning is also honored through the Online Excellence Awards, acknowledging innovation in online education and technology use. 

Purdue scholarships are offered to about 15% of applicants, who receive a merit-based yearly award. 

Here are some of Purdue University's community development initiatives: 

Now, let's explore how Purdue University promotes creative and cultural initiatives for international students. 

Cultural and Creative Excellence 

Purdue University stands out as one of the top public universities in the US for its cultural and creative excellence.  

Purdue isn't just excelling in academics and research, it’s also making a splash in the creative arena. Its in-house marketing team, Purdue Brand Studio, soared to #6 globally and #2 in the U.S. in the 2025 MUSE Creative Awards, celebrating excellence in advertising, branding, and digital storytelling 

Some notable creative initiatives of Purdue University include: 

Now that you've explored Purdue University's ranking and achievements in academics, culture, and community development, let's discuss the relationship between ranking and acceptance rates. 

Purdue University: Ranking V/S Acceptance Rate 

Purdue University strikes a balance between academic excellence and accessibility. The US News Rankings by Subject ranks Agricultural Sciences at 34th position and 160th for Artificial Intelligence. Despite its strong global standing, Purdue maintains a relatively moderate acceptance rate of 50%, offering high-quality education to a diverse pool of students. 

Below is a table showcasing the overall acceptance rate for Purdue University for the top programs: 

Students should consider Purdue University's academic strength and accessibility a potential choice. 

Now, let's discuss the methodologies used to evaluate universities for rankings. 

Ranking Methodologies 

Global university ranking systems offer standardized methods to assess higher education institutions worldwide, using quantitative and qualitative metrics. Prominent organizations such as QS, Times Higher Education (THE), and U.S. News & World Report each use unique methodologies to evaluate universities across various aspects of academic performance. 

Let's explore ranking methodologies for ranking agencies such as QS, THE, and US News: 

QS World University Rankings 

The QS World University Rankings is among the most prominent global university evaluation systems, assessing over 1,500 institutions each year. Its research methodology for rankings blends academic and employer reputation surveys with objective indicators such as faculty-to-student ratios and research impact. 

Here are the indicators used in QS World University rankings. 

Now, let's take a look at the ranking methodology for THE. 

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings 

The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings is one of the most authoritative global assessment systems for research-intensive institutions.  

THE evaluates universities across five key areas: Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, International Outlook, and Industry Engagement, providing a comprehensive measure of institutional excellence. 

Here are the criteria used by THE university rankings. 

Now, let's explore the ranking methodology for THE 

U.S. News and World Report Rankings 

U.S. News & World Report is a trusted source for evaluating higher education, employing a detailed methodology that highlights student outcomes, social mobility, and academic quality. The 2025 rankings focus on tangible success indicators like graduation rates and post-graduate accomplishments, offering a well-rounded view of institutional performance. 

Here are the criteria used in U.S. News and World Report rankings: 

These rankings showcase Purdue University's ability to provide high-quality education and strong real-world outcomes, such as employability. Its 2025 results emphasize the university's academic and research excellence.  

Next, let's explore Purdue's position within the global higher education field. 

Conclusion 

Purdue University continues to strengthen its reputation as a world-class research institution. Its rise from #99 to #88 in the Purdue University QS ranking and from #86 to #79 in THE reflects consistent growth in academic reputation, research impact, and global visibility, boosting its Purdue University ranking worldwide. The university excels in STEM and applied sciences. 

Purdue University engineering ranking and Purdue University CS ranking showcase leadership in technology, innovation, and employability. With a 50% acceptance rate, Purdue University balances selectivity and accessibility, making it a top choice for international students seeking excellence in education and research.