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4 Reviews

Purdue Global Review

Catherine Miller
Catherine Miller is a lead member of personal finance and pension innovator Maji, where’s she’s responsible for content creation and running Maji’s personal finance masterclass. Miller also holds degrees in English and education, and worked as a teacher before moving into writing about finance. Today, she combines aspects of education and personal finance to help readers make better decisions in finance and beyond.

April 28, 2025

4 min

purdue-global
Years operating
5 years
Variety of degrees
119 programs
Tuition
$1484/credit for undergraduates $1680-$2800/credit for graduates

In a Nutshell

Backed by Purdue University, Purdue Global offers education built for working adults who want a degree they can be proud of and one that employers will respect. At Purdue Global, you’ll get the online flexibility to fit learning into your busy life. If you have some college credit, work or life experience and are ready to come back and open the next door in your career, Purdue Global may be right for you.

Purdue Global Pros & Cons

Pros

Purdue’s online university for working adults
100% online learning from associate’s to doctoral degrees
Credit for experience and financial aid options

Cons

Courses only in professional subjects
No dedicated internship program
purdue-global

Purdue Global at a Glance

9.4
Editorial Score

Years Operating

100+ years
10.0

Variety of Programs

150+ programs
9.0

Tuition

Up to $400 per credit for undergraduates
8.0

Accreditation

100+ years
10.0

Degree Levels

Master's, Bachelor's, Associate's, Certificates
10.0

Purdue Global at a Glance:

Best for

Working adults with full lives

Financial aid available

FAFSA; Student loans; Grants; Military tuition assistance; Credit for prior coursework, work, or military training

Available degrees

Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral, and Certificates

Number of majors/programs available

175+ degree and certificate paths

Outstanding features

Experiential credit; 100% online flexibility; Backed by a respected name; Accredited programs; Highly relevant curriculum; A vast, influential network; Expert faculty; Student career services


Why Purdue Global?

Backed by the Purdue University System
Backed by one of the nation’s most respected public universities, Purdue Global offers degrees and certificates that employers trust.

Your Experience Counts as Credit

Satisfy up to 75% of your undergraduate degree with credits earned from prior coursework, work or life experiences, military training, industry certifications or training, skill or knowledge assessments, and external exams.

Built for Working Adults
Learn from anywhere in the world, 100% online in a user-friendly platform. Courses include interactive live seminars where you meet with your instructor and classmates in a virtual classroom to review and discuss important weekly topics.

Multiple Start Dates Every Month
Get started whenever you’re ready. Purdue Global offers a wide breadth of programs from business, to nursing, to IT, and beyond at every degree level.

A Community of Driven Adults
Join a robust and supportive community of working professionals. Connect with peers in and out of class, participate in student organizations, join an influential alumni network, and more.

Try Before You Owe Tuition
Experience one of Purdue Global’s undergraduate programs for a 3-week period with no financial obligation, and see if online learning is right for you.

Get Credit for the Life You’ve Lived

If you have prior coursework, work experience, or military training, Purdue Global offers real college credit for the experience you’ve gained.

Transfer Credits: Transfer credits earned at another institution and save an average of 50% in tuition on your bachelor’s degree.

Work and Life Experience: Students who submit a prior learning portfolio for evaluation save, on average, nearly $11,000 on undergraduate program tuition.

Military Benefits: Servicemembers and veterans receive reduced tuition rates and can earn credits toward a bachelor’s degree through military training, transfer credit, portfolio development, and course assessment opportunities.

Financial Aid: Financial aid is available for many degree programs. Advisors can help walk you through the process.

Programs and Majors

Purdue Global offers more than 175 degree and certificate programs across a wide range of industries:

  • Aviation
  • Business
  • Communication
  • Criminal Justice
  • Education
  • Fire Science
  • Health Sciences
  • Human Services
  • Information Technology
  • Legal Studies
  • Nursing
  • Professional Studies
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Qualifications are available at all levels, from associate’s degrees to doctoral degrees. You can also take non-credit courses in professional skills to enhance your resume.

Purdue Global Accreditation & Certification

Purdue Global is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLCommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Certain degree and certificate programs have their own accreditation from relevant bodies. See the Purdue Global website for more details.

What Former Purdue Global Students Have to Say

“Being enrolled in an online institution, we have been granted a fantastic opportunity to engage with many individuals who each bring their own experiences, knowledge, and perspectives to the table. Student Life provides students with endless opportunities for this engagement surrounding multiple topics of interest, allowing us to learn from one another and grow together. I am proud to be a Purdue Global student!” – Dihana Hansch

“I chose Purdue Global because I wanted an education from a reputable institution with a recognized name. I really wanted to get more in-depth learning and give myself the opportunity for advancement. I received that and so much more. I not only learned from top experts in the field, but I also learned confidence and endurance.” – Karin Ocenguera

“The entire program was very interactive...I could interact with other students. I could interact with my professors. There were smaller class sizes, and that really helped me because I felt kind of like it was a family.” – Wendy Buice

Purdue Global Additional Support

Purdue Global frequently works with students who have full, busy lives, juggling work and family responsibilities while pursuing their educational goals. Enjoy 1-on-1 mentoring and personalized assistance on everything from coursework to career searches. Purdue Global’s full range of services includes:

  • Individual educational advising
  • Hands-on learning through an interactive online classroom
  • No-cost tutoring in math, science, and writing
  • An official competency report that lets you show employers your work-related skills and readiness to contribute on day one
  • Comprehensive career counseling services before and after graduation, including career planning, job searching, networking, and more

Bottom Line

Purdue Global is known for recognizing and championing what working adults bring to the table. Whether you’re on a set career path or breaking into a new industry, Purdue Global can help you build the in-demand skills you need to move forward in your field without compromising your work or family schedule. Their generous transfer credit policy gives you the credit you deserve for all the work you’ve put in, allowing you to save money and graduate faster. Plus, their Center for Career Advancement is there every step of the way with 1-on-1 support, helping you leverage your education and experience to stand out to today’s employers.

If you’re a driven adult looking for proven online education backed by a respected name, Purdue Global is certainly worth your consideration.

Disclaimers

100% Online: Some Purdue Global programs are not 100% online; some programs require you to gain hands-on experience in a real-world work environment. Contact an Admissions Advisor for additional information.

Financial Aid: Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Financial aid awards vary depending on individual student eligibility and need.

Three-Week Trial: Classes count toward a degree if satisfactorily completed. No credits are earned if the student withdraws during the introductory period (3 weeks for new qualifying undergraduate students), which begins day one of the first term. Students who choose to continue their studies at Purdue Global will need to meet specific requirements. Graduate programs not included. Additional terms may apply to international and non-U.S. citizen students. For further information, see the University Catalog.

Prior Learning Credit Savings—Bachelor's: Purdue Global online bachelor’s degree students who graduated in 2021–2022 and applied eligible prior learning (transfer, experiential, or credit by exam) credits saved an average of $34,500 toward the total degree. Campus tuition and prior learning savings vary by location. Savings based on overall cost of completion without prior learning credit. Calculation based on total prior learning credit times standard cost per credit in student’s program of study. Individual savings will vary. Calculation includes campus and military students. Purdue Global does not guarantee transferability of credit. See University Catalog for the Prior Learning policy. Source: Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2022. 2021–2022 academic year.

Experiential Learning Savings: In 2021–2022, incoming Purdue Global students who passed EL206 and submitted a portfolio for evaluation earned an average of 33 quarter credit hours toward their Purdue Global undergraduate degrees. Based on these experiential learning credits, tuition savings for nonmilitary students were on average $10,743.00. Tuition savings calculated as 33 quarter credit hours x standard tuition rate of $371.00 = $12,243.00 - $1,500.00 course fee = $10,743.00. Savings for students vary depending on the student’s individual prior learning experience. Savings for 2021–2022 incoming Indiana students who passed EL206 and submitted a portfolio for review were $9,700. Savings for 2021–2022 incoming military students who passed EL206 and submitted a portfolio for review ranged from $3,945.00 to $6,090.00. Eligible college credits articulate into Purdue Global undergraduate degree plans. Savings dependent on credit awards, which are dependent on individual circumstances. See University Catalog for Prior Learning Assessment policy. See www.purdueglobal.edu/tuition-financial-aid/undergraduate-graduate-tuition-and-fees/ for course fee refund policy. Source: Purdue Global School of General Studies, October 2022. 2021–2022 academic year.

Testimonials: These testimonials were obtained by Purdue Global. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individual; student experiences may vary.

Employment and Career Advancement: Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement or career advancement. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience and opportunities for employment.

How do I know I can trust this review?

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Catherine Miller

Catherine Miller is a lead member of personal finance and pension innovator Maji, where’s she’s responsible for content creation and running Maji’s personal finance masterclass. Miller also holds degrees in English and education, and worked as a teacher before moving into writing about finance. Today, she combines aspects of education and personal finance to help readers make better decisions in finance and beyond.

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Trustpilot reviews
See what some customers are saying about Purdue Global
Average • Reviews 4
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Aaron Wisner
6 months ago
Offers a fantastic Criminal Justice…
Offers a fantastic Criminal Justice program that is widely respected by employers as it is an affiliated program of Purdue University. Purdue University oversees their Global branch and generally follows the same curriculum requirements since they are both regionally accredited by the HLC.
Boriqua Love
9 months ago
The legit company
The legit company, Graduating in May 2025 from Medical Billing and coding. School is helpful, they are concerned about your health, you can take a leave of absence, and they will show on the FASFA application. I do online courses, and will bachelor's degree. They answer all your questions and concerns. I have a wonderful time with them. Any school that don't show on FASFA isn't legit.
am
amber massaquoi
6 months ago
Disappointing Experience – Poor Communication and Lack of Support
I would not recommend this school to anyone based on my experience so far. From start to finish, the process has been confusing, disorganized, and extremely frustrating. I had to figure everything out on my own — no one reached out to guide me, follow up, or even confirm that my transcripts were received. I only spoke to one person the entire time, and every other attempt to get help was ignored. I called multiple times and was sent straight to voicemail. When I finally got through to someone, I was redirected to nursing admissions, who offered no help at all. This entire process felt like a waste of time. It seems like the school is more interested in getting people through the door than actually supporting them. If you're serious about your education and want a school that actually communicates and helps you succeed, I’d look elsewhere.
AG
April Gray
2 years ago
Do not use any school from this group
Do not use any school from this group. I was screwed by them for being sick. I tried but nothing could be done for me. I was told I should have failed all the classes as a no show instead of pulling out of the classes.