Purdue’s 2025 Enrollment Shift: What It Means for Lafayette & West Lafayette Housing
Purdue Enrollment Dips Slightly After Record Year
Purdue University has reported a small decrease in student enrollment for the 2025 fall semester, marking a strategic shift after last year’s record-breaking numbers. Total enrollment on the West Lafayette campus stands at 54,651 students—down from 55,119 the previous year. While this represents a less than 1% drop, it’s the result of a deliberate effort by university leadership to manage growth. The overall Purdue system enrollment, including the Indianapolis campus, now totals 57,310, with Indianapolis accounting for nearly 2,700 students.
Why Purdue Is Managing Student Numbers
Purdue’s long-standing reputation for academic excellence—particularly in engineering, agriculture, pharmacy, and nursing—has made it a top destination for students nationwide. With nearly 87,000 undergraduate applications this year, demand remains high. However, rapid enrollment growth has strained infrastructure, especially housing. In response, Purdue has implemented targeted admissions reductions to balance supply and demand. This year, 71% of in-state applicants were admitted, reflecting a continued commitment to Indiana students while managing overall campus capacity.
Housing Pressure in Greater Lafayette
The surge in student population has had a direct impact on the local housing market in Lafayette and West Lafayette. Rents have risen sharply, with single bedrooms in new developments starting at $1,200 and premium apartments exceeding $2,000 per month. Single-family home rentals are now frequently priced in the $2,000–$3,000 range, driven by high demand from students and families alike. This sustained pressure has made affordable housing a growing concern for both students and long-term residents.
New Housing Solutions Coming Online
To ease the strain, new housing options are emerging. Third and West, a privately owned apartment complex, opened at the start of the academic year with Purdue holding the master lease—effectively making it a university-affiliated residence for now. Additionally, a new Purdue-owned residence hall is set to open next year, expanding on-campus capacity. The university has also reversed recent over-densification practices, where doubles became triples and quads became six-person rooms, returning to more reasonable occupancy levels.
What This Means for the Local Real Estate Market
Purdue’s enrollment adjustments signal a more sustainable approach to growth, with positive ripple effects for the community. While the draw of a top-tier university continues to boost demand for housing, these changes may help stabilize rent increases and improve living conditions. For homeowners and investors, this represents an opportunity to reevaluate rental strategies with a more predictable student housing market on the horizon. As the university balances growth with livability, the greater Lafayette area stands to benefit from a more stable, well-planned housing ecosystem.