This is one stat where Purdue is delighted to be at the bottom

Purdue University has sunk to the bottom of the Big Ten in an important measure for students and their families.

In just seven years, Purdue has gone from the second-highest predominant room and board rates among Big Ten institutions to the lowest.

This follows a series of steps taken by the Purdue University Board of Trustees, including two 5 percent rate reductions for the University’s dining plans. The 2018-19 academic year will mark the sixth straight year that Purdue students will see no increase in room and board rates.

The University’s most commonly selected room and meal plan is $9,414, and ranks lowest among the 14 Big Ten institutions.

 “I can say in this case, it’s great to be at the bottom of the scale,” said Beth McCuskey, vice provost for student life. “We set out six years ago to do what is right for our students and their families -- keeping costs down while not only maintaining, but building upon, our efforts to provide higher education at the highest proven value.”

In addition to room and board rates, President Mitch Daniels announced in April that tuition will remain frozen into the 2019-20 academic year at the West Lafayette campus, meaning student cost of attendance will continue to be at or lower than it was in 2012-13 through 2020.

All the while, the University has held firm to its mission of producing career-ready and sought-after graduates. In 2017, The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education ranked Purdue the fifth-best U.S. public institution. Purdue also tied with the University of Michigan and William & Mary for the best student-faculty ratio among public universities, with a rate of 12-to-1, and an average class size of 31.

The attainable and high-level education is making a difference, both close to home and far away.

This fall, Purdue will welcome its largest-ever freshman class, one of its best and most exciting, based on the high level of the cohort’s academic achievements and preparation. The incoming class is expected to include the largest number of Indiana resident students in a decade and 800 more than just five years ago. Out-of-state enrollment is projected to increase by two percentage points, and the overall undergraduate enrollment is expected to be the largest in Purdue history.

Purdue recently announced plans to construct two new campus residence halls that will add nearly 1,300 new beds as well as a new STEM teaching lab building to house all first- and second-year chemistry and biology courses. An expansion of Wiley Dining Court and the addition of new retail food options are also in the works.