Purdue room and board rates to remain flat at WL, PNW campuses; IPFW weighted average rates also flat

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University students at the West Lafayette campus will see no increase in room and board rates for the fifth consecutive year. At Purdue Northwest’s Hammond campus, rates will remain flat for a second consecutive year, while the overall weighted average at the Fort Wayne campus is expected to remain flat for a second year as well.

For students at West Lafayette, three years of flat rates, combined with two previous years of 5 percent reductions in board costs, means rates will be lower in the next academic year than they were 2012-13.

Purdue’s Board of Trustees on Friday (Dec. 16) approved the student housing rates.

“Room and board represents a major expense for students, so it’s gratifying to see that we are controlling those costs without compromising our quality,” Purdue President Mitch Daniels said. “Students benefit greatly, both academically and socially, from living on campus, and we want to make it a viable option for every student.”

Those living in West Lafayette residence halls are required to carry one of five meal plans ranging from $2,998 to $5,398, and dining dollars can be used in all Purdue Dining & Catering retail locations. Depending on the type of campus housing students select, the price per academic year for room only will range from $2,446 for a double room at Cary Quadrangle to $9,500 for a single-bed unit in First Street Towers. There also are options at Purdue University Residences apartment complexes where no meal plan is required.

“Our goal is to develop a range of housing configurations and prices so that students can find the option that works both for their budget and their lifestyle,” said James Almond, senior vice president and assistant treasurer.

The Purdue Northwest campus in Hammond provides 744 beds in two- and four-bedroom apartment-style configurations. Rates for the two- and four-bed units are $5,595 and $6,514, respectively.

At IPFW, rates will remain flat overall for the coming year, with some options increasing in price and others decreasing. For some units, the cost will decrease about 1 percent, while a smaller number of other units will increase between 2.11 percent and 2.47 percent, based on the option selected and student demand. Students currently residing in IPFW housing who renew their lease before March 31 will see no increase and would be eligible for any applicable decreases, as well. Campus housing has 1,204 beds in one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartment-style configurations. 

About Purdue West Lafayette Student Life

The division of Student Life provides approximately 12,700 beds across various price points and amenities at the West Lafayette campus, and all campus housing is voluntary. The system is financially self-supporting, and no state funds or general student fees are used for construction, maintenance or operations.

University Residences offers a package that includes furnished rooms with utilities and cable TV, and wireless high-speed Internet access. Meals are available 18 hours a day. Professional staff members live in residence halls to provide support to students and their communities. In addition, access to buildings is monitored, and security policies are enforced to help ensure student safety. 

Sources: Mitch Daniels, president@purdue.edu

James Almond, 765-494-9706, jsalmond@purdue.edu

Beth McCuskey, vice provost for student life, 765-494-1022, bmccuske@purdue.edu