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Purdue University sits in West Lafayette, Indiana, with roughly 46,655 students and a reputation built on engineering, big Boilermaker spirit, and deep traditions. Campus stretches along State Street, where the official mascot, the Boilermaker Special locomotive, appears at big events. Hello Walk asks students to greet everyone they pass, and the Wabash River separates West Lafayette from Lafayette next door. Fall Saturdays mean football at Ross-Ade Stadium and the early-morning Breakfast Club, where students pile into wild outfits before games. Mackey Arena handles the hoops crowd. Downtown centers on Chauncey Village, a walkable student hub off campus, and CityBus connects Greater Lafayette free on key routes.
Purdue does not require freshmen to live on campus, which is unusual for a school its size. Only about a third of undergrads live in university housing, so plenty of first-years go straight to off-campus apartments or co-ops. Greek life is also a big piece of the housing picture.
Because there is no live-on mandate, students are free to rent off campus from their first semester. That freedom means the off-campus market does heavy lifting, and it is competitive. The process runs through a mix of large student-focused complexes and local landlords, especially around Chauncey Village, and you should expect applications, a security deposit, and a co-signer if you lack rental or credit history.
Most leases begin in early-to-mid August, lining up with classes that start in mid-to-late August. Watch the lease for whether liability is per-bedroom or joint across all roommates, since group houses vary. Confirm parking, which is tight near campus, and check who covers utilities and snow removal given Indiana winters.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Purdue University-Main Campus before signing a lease.
Purdue leases early and fast, driven by demand that has outpaced on-campus beds for years. Newer complexes near campus open leasing for the next academic year in the fall. If you want a specific spot, treat October through January as prime signing season rather than waiting for spring. Most students at Purdue who want a particular house start touring in the fall.
The popular student-focused buildings around Chauncey Village fill quickly through the winter. Houses in New Chauncey and the close-in neighborhoods turn over as leases align with the academic calendar, so the good ones go before the rush. With on-campus housing tight, the competition for walk-to-class spots is steady. Typically the best-located units are claimed by late winter.
Late searchers can still find openings in spring and summer as plans shift and students graduate. Summer subletting is common and can cover a gap until a longer lease frees up. The catch is that fewer of the prime close-in options remain. Locking something early near campus saves real stress later in the cycle.
Downtown West Lafayette and student central, walkable to campus with the densest cluster of student apartments.
Residential and just east of campus, more single-family houses with a neighborhood association that welcomes students.
Across Northwestern Avenue from Mackey Arena and Ross-Ade Stadium, close to the action on game days.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
A shared room or per-person spot near Purdue usually runs about $500-$900/month. Older houses in New Chauncey land at the low end, while newer student complexes around Chauncey Village run higher. Budget another $50-$120/month for utilities, since Indiana winters push heating bills up if they aren't capped.