Purdue University

What Purdue University does

Purdue University is a public land-grant research university founded in 1869 and headquartered in West Lafayette, Indiana. It serves 106,000+ students across multiple campuses (primarily West Lafayette and Indianapolis), modalities (on-campus and online), and disciplines including engineering, agriculture, veterinary medicine, business, hospitality, and aviation. Its portfolio spans undergraduate and graduate degree programs, professional certificates (including a newly launched Graduate Certificate in Advanced Unmanned Aerial Systems), continuing education, and the Purdue Computes strategic computing initiative.

Beyond education, Purdue operates a substantial applied research and clinical enterprise. The Purdue Institute for Cancer Research runs an ultrahigh-throughput drug discovery platform built on DESI mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) invented at Purdue, reducing early-stage drug discovery timelines from weeks to hours. Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization executed 161 licensing deals covering 269 technologies and secured 267 U.S. and international patents in FY2025, with 479 invention disclosures received. The College of Veterinary Medicine runs the David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex (22,000+ small animal patients annually) and the AAVLD-accredited Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, plus on-farm field services reaching 23,000+ farm animals. Eight Purdue Agricultural Centers across Indiana support applied research, and partnerships with Eli Lilly, BioCrossroads, NIBRT, and NASA extend industry and federal engagement.

Purdue's revenue is diversified across tuition and fees (frozen for 14 consecutive years at the main campus), federal research grants (USDA, NSF, NCI, ARPA-E, DOE), private philanthropy (including a $25M White Family Foundation gift in 2026 toward the $4B Victories & Heroes campaign), licensing and technology commercialization, and veterinary clinical services. The university ranks #1 Most Recognized Public University in the U.S. (American Caldwell, 2025) and has held a Top 10 position in the QS World University Rankings for four consecutive years.

Name

Purdue University

Legal name

Purdue University

Website

https://purdue.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1869

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Purdue University is a public land-grant research university founded in 1869 in West Lafayette, Indiana, serving 106,000+ students through degree, certificate, and online programs. It operates major applied research, technology commercialization, and veterinary clinical enterprises across engineering, agriculture, cancer drug discovery, and aerospace.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education and Research Services

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with Engineering/Polytechnic Emphasis (EDAHAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB), Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools (EDAHAAAF), Technology Transfer & Innovation-Driven Research Universities (High Commercialization) (EDAHABAH), Technical Universities with Specialized Engineering Domains (EDAHAEAI)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Veterinary medical care
• Agricultural research programs
• Technology commercialization licensing
• Graduate certificate programs

Headquarters

HQ city

West Lafayette

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Educational Services: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition, fees, and educational programs across multiple campuses including West Lafayette and Indianapolis.
2. Research Grants and Federal Funding: Purdue receives substantial federal funding from agencies including USDA APHIS ($2.7M for SARS-CoV-2 field test development, $2M for avian influenza antiviral fogging technology) and NSF ($400K for AI-based robotics project).
3. Technology Commercialization: Revenue generated through licensing of intellectual property, patents, and technology transfer via the Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization. In FY2025: 161 deals executed with 269 technologies licensed.
4. Veterinary Medical Services: Revenue from the David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex serving more than 22,000 animal patients annually, plus farm animal care through field services.
5. Philanthropic Gifts and Donations: Major gifts supporting university programs including the White Family Foundation's $25M gift supporting hospitality program expansion, One Health initiative, and Mitch Daniels School of Business.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Purdue University is a public land-grant research university delivering undergraduate, graduate, and professional education across multiple campuses and online modalities. Beyond education, it operates veterinary medical hospitals and field services, conducts agricultural and biomedical research across multiple centers, and licenses patented technologies through its technology commercialization office to industry partners.

Product overview

Purdue University operates as a comprehensive public research institution offering educational programs, healthcare services, and research technologies across multiple disciplines. The university's product portfolio includes academic degree and certificate programs (notably the graduate certificate in advanced unmanned aerial systems and Purdue Computes technology programs), veterinary healthcare services through the David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex (Small Animal, Equine, and Farm Animal hospitals), diagnostic laboratory services via the AAVLD-accredited Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, and research technology platforms including the ultrahigh-throughput drug discovery platform using DESI-MS mass spectrometry, hyperspectral imaging nanoparticle classification systems, and AI-based robotics for agricultural applications. The institution's One Health initiative integrates human, animal, and plant health research, while the Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization supports technology transfer with 161 deals executed and 269 technologies licensed in fiscal year 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management: Hospitality and tourism management school within Purdue's College of Health and Human Sciences
• Purdue Institute for Cancer Research
• Mitch Daniels School of Business
• One Health Initiative
• Purdue Computes
• David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex

Products and services

• Ultrahigh-Throughput Drug Discovery Platform (DESI-MS) Automated research platform integrating chemical synthesis, biological testing, and desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for cancer drug discovery; reduces screening timelines from weeks to hours. Available to research collaborators and licensees through Purdue Innovates.
• Hyperspectral Imaging Nanoparticle Classification System Patent-pending label-free, noninvasive method using hyperspectral imaging and machine learning to classify liposomal drug carriers and lipid nanoparticles with approximately 99% accuracy; aimed at pharmaceutical and nanomedicine developers.
• Graduate Certificate in Advanced Unmanned Aerial Systems Online 9-credit graduate certificate preparing professionals for aviation, defense, public safety, and agriculture UAS roles; covers UAS operations, data acquisition, GIS software, cybersecurity threats, and FAA remote pilot certification preparation.
• AI-Based Robotics for Orchard Disease Detection Autonomous drone and ground-robot system for aerial disease detection, confirmation, and targeted chemical application in apple orchards; designed to reduce costs and chemical use for farmers.
• David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex Comprehensive veterinary hospital providing care for more than 22,000 animal patients annually through Small Animal Hospital, Equine Hospital, and Farm Animal Hospital; serves pet owners, equine owners, and livestock producers across Indiana.
• Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) AAVLD-accredited full-service diagnostic laboratory diagnosing diseases in livestock, poultry, companion animals, and wildlife; operates two locations (Willie M. Reed ADDL and Dennis H. Heeke ADDL) and serves Indiana and the nation.
• Caesars Entertainment Equine Specialty Hospital Premier performance horse hospital located 30 miles southeast of Indianapolis in Shelbyville, Indiana; provides specialty equine medical and surgical services with advanced diagnostic imaging including the Equine 4DDI system, shockwave therapy, nuclear medicine, and endoscopic laser surgery.
• Purdue Veterinary Field Services On-farm veterinary care services including Bovine Field Service, Swine Field Service, and Equine Field Service providing diagnostics, preventive care, lameness evaluations, dental examinations, and reproductive services for 23,000+ animals annually.
• Antiviral Fogging Technology for Avian Influenza Novel antiviral fogging technology using hydrogenated catmint oil to combat avian influenza in poultry environments; deployed as a practical biosecurity tool via fogging systems in poultry facilities.
• SARS-CoV-2 Wildlife and Farm Animal Field Test Universal, affordable testing protocol for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife and farm animals with results in approximately one hour at about $10 per test; funded by USDA APHIS.
• Purdue University Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Programs Comprehensive undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across multiple campuses (West Lafayette, Indianapolis) and online modalities; tuition has been frozen for 14 consecutive years; over 57,000 students enrolled at main campus locations.
• Purdue Online Learning Platform Online and distance education programs including undergraduate, graduate, and professional certificates delivered through digital platforms; reaches students across multiple campuses in West Lafayette and Indianapolis.
• Purdue College of Agriculture Research Programs Agricultural research, education, and extension services with over 150 years of history spanning crop breeding, soil science, plant biology, food systems, and global food security; research conducted across 8 Purdue Agricultural Centers across Indiana.
• Concrete Curing Agent from Upcycled Diaper Materials Patent-pending concrete curing agent made from upcycled absorbent waste materials sourced from disposable diaper manufacturing; absorbs and releases moisture during concrete curing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Drug discovery timeline reduced from weeks to hours using DESI-MS platform
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Third Coast Foundry (University of Chicago, Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern, Ohio State, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Washington University in St. Louis)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 March 2026Partnership with seven other Midwestern universities to launch Third Coast Foundry, a shared workspace hub in San Francisco's South Park neighborhood. The 3,500-square-foot space at 625 Second St. will host university-founded startups, workshops, and investor events. The consortium collectively invests nearly $10 billion annually in research and educates more than 300,000 students.
• Third Coast Foundry Consortium UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2026Eight Midwest universities including Purdue opened a shared innovation hub in San Francisco. The University of Chicago manages the consortium with plans to evaluate the two-year pilot program and potentially secure longer-term lease.
• UNIC Athens (University of Nicosia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 March 2026Strategic partnership to advance education, research, and innovation through dual master's programs, online workforce development, and coordinated research across AI, precision health, and engineering disciplines. Partnership will establish a Purdue Regional Office at The Ellinikon smart-city development in Athens.
• BioCrossroads, Eli Lilly, and NIBRTcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2025Partnership to establish biomanufacturing training programs in Indiana. Initiative aims to increase local pharmaceutical manufacturing talent with pilot programs starting in 2026 and hands-on training beginning in 2027.
• Playground GlobalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Playground Global in Palo Alto to establish physical presence for university programs in Silicon Valley as part of Purdue@SV strategy.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• University of Michigan: Public research university with comparable scale, top-10 QS standing, large federal research portfolio, and strong technology transfer operations; competes directly with Purdue for federal grants, graduate students, and industry partnerships in mobility, manufacturing, and health.
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Public Big Ten research university with a top-5 engineering and computer science reputation and very similar technology commercialization infrastructure (similar scale to Purdue and co-member of the Third Coast Foundry consortium). Closest direct competitor for engineering talent, federal grants, and Midwest AI/quantum research funding.
• Georgia Institute of Technology: Public polytechnic-style research university with comparable engineering strength, online master's programs, and industry partnerships; competes directly with Purdue Polytechnic and Purdue Online for working professional and graduate STEM enrollment.
• Penn State University: Public land-grant research university with similar scale, large federal research enterprise, multiple campuses, and a technology transfer office (Invent Penn State) that directly competes for industry-sponsored research and corporate partnerships.
• Ohio State University: Large public Big Ten and land-grant research university with comparable enrollment, medical and agricultural research, and a co-member of the Third Coast Foundry consortium; competes for Ohio Valley/Midwest talent and federal research dollars.
• University of Wisconsin-Madison: Public Big Ten research university with comparable research output, biotech and agricultural science programs, and a Third Coast Foundry partner; overlaps with Purdue in biomedical and agricultural federal funding competition.
• Michigan State University: Public land-grant research university with overlapping agricultural research, veterinary medicine, and plant science programs; direct competitor for USDA grants and Midwest agricultural extension funding.
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities: Public Big Ten research university with comparable engineering, biomedical, and agricultural research programs; competes with Purdue for federal research dollars and Midwest STEM students.

Broad incumbents

• University of Texas at Austin: Larger public research university with comparable engineering, computer science, and commercialization output; competes with Purdue in top-10 rankings, federal research funding, and corporate recruiting of STEM talent.

Regional players

• Indiana University: In-state public research university and the principal regional peer for undergraduate enrollment in Indiana; competes with Purdue for in-state talent, state appropriations, and Kelley School of Business vs. Mitch Daniels School of Business positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LifeAtPurdue
• YouTubeyoutube.com/purdueuniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/PurdueUniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/purdue-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/lifeatpurdue

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors5 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Purdue University