Online master’s programs
Per credit hour (Global)
Typical total cost (Global)
Institutions in one system
Institution type
Public R1 + open-access arm
Regional accreditation
HLC (both institutions)
Admissions model
Rolling (Global) · Deadline-based (WL)
GRE/GMAT required
Not required (Global) · Waived (most WL)
Competency-based option
Available via ExcelTrack (Global)
Purdue University operates one of the most extensive online master’s ecosystems in American higher education — but prospective students need to understand a critical structural distinction before applying. Purdue’s online master’s degrees come from two separate institutions under the Purdue system:
Purdue West Lafayette is the R1 research flagship, consistently ranked among the top 10 U.S. engineering schools and home to the AACSB-accredited Krannert School of Management. Its online master’s programs are offered through departments like Engineering Professional Education (PEPE), the College of Education, and the Brian Lamb School of Communication. These programs use deadline-based admissions and are generally more selective.
Purdue University Global is a separate, regionally accredited (HLC) institution designed for working adults and nontraditional students. It offers rolling admissions, open-access enrollment, flat per-credit pricing (~$420/credit), and competency-based ExcelTrack options in several programs. Purdue Global’s catalog spans business, IT, criminal justice, nursing, psychology, healthcare, and education.
Combined, the Purdue system offers approximately 40+ online master’s programs across STEM, business, healthcare, education, and professional fields. Tuition ranges from roughly $23,000 (Purdue Global MSN tracks) to $60,000+ (Krannert Online MBA). Both institutions hold regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and individual programs carry programmatic accreditations including AACSB, CCNE, CACREP, CAEP, CAHME, and ACBSP.
This is not a single institution with a single admissions funnel. Understanding which arm of Purdue houses the program you want — and the corresponding cost, selectivity, and format differences — is the most important first step.
Purdue’s reputation in online master’s education rests on a set of specific, verifiable strengths rather than generic prestige. Here’s what matters most for prospective online students:
Purdue’s College of Engineering consistently ranks in the top 10 nationally (U.S. News), and its online engineering master’s programs — delivered through Purdue Engineering Professional Education (PEPE) — carry that same institutional weight. Online students can pursue MS degrees in Aeronautics and Astronautics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Interdisciplinary Engineering. For working engineers who need a graduate credential from a program with genuine technical rigor, Purdue WL is among the strongest online options in the country.
The Krannert School of Management’s online MBA holds AACSB accreditation and offers concentrations in Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing, Operations, and Global Supply Chain Management. It’s one of the stronger AACSB-accredited online MBA programs available, though it requires brief in-person immersion experiences and comes at a significantly higher price point (~$60,000) than Purdue Global’s MBA.
Purdue Global’s ExcelTrack model lets students demonstrate mastery of competencies to accelerate through coursework, potentially finishing programs like the MBA or MS in IT significantly faster and at lower cost. This is a distinctive structural advantage for experienced professionals who already possess substantial domain knowledge and want to avoid paying for content they’ve already mastered.
Purdue Global offers multiple MSN tracks — Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, and Executive Leader — all accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The FNP track requires clinical practicum hours, but coursework is delivered online with rolling start dates, making it accessible for working RNs.
The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling carries CACREP accreditation, which is increasingly required for licensure in most states. This is a meaningful differentiator — many online counseling programs lack CACREP status, and students pursuing licensure should prioritize it.
Purdue Global’s rolling admissions, frequent start dates (new terms every few weeks), no-GRE policy, and flat per-credit pricing create an unusually flexible entry point. For adult learners who need to start quickly and can’t wait for traditional semester cycles, this structure removes significant friction. Purdue Global’s breadth — covering criminal justice , psychology , healthcare administration , IT, business, education, and more — means most working professionals can find a relevant program without navigating the flagship’s more selective process.
The table below groups Purdue’s online master’s programs by subject area. Pay close attention to the institution column — Purdue West Lafayette (WL) and Purdue University Global (PG) have fundamentally different cost structures, admissions models, and program formats.
| Program | Institution | Credits | Est. Total Cost | Accreditation | Admissions | GRE | In-Person | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBA | PG | 60 | ~$25,200 | ACBSP | Rolling | No | No | ExcelTrack competency-based option available. Concentrations in Finance, HR, IT Management, Marketing, Project Management, Supply Chain. |
| Online MBA (Krannert) | WL | 48 | ~$60,000 | AACSB | Deadline-based | No (waiver available) | Yes (brief immersions) | Concentrations in Analytics, Finance, Marketing, Operations, Strategic Management, Global Supply Chain. |
| MS in Human Resource Management | PG | 60 | ~$25,200 | — | Rolling | No | No | Aligned with SHRM curriculum guidebook. |
| MS in Management and Leadership | PG | 60 | ~$25,200 | — | Rolling | No | No | — |
| Program | Institution | Credits | Est. Total Cost | Accreditation | Admissions | GRE | In-Person | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS in Engineering | WL | 30 | Varies | ABET (undergrad; grad varies) | Deadline-based | Varies | No | Delivered through PEPE. Disciplines include Aeronautics/Astronautics, ECE, Industrial, Mechanical, Engineering Education, Interdisciplinary. Tuition varies by program and residency. |
| Program | Institution | Credits | Est. Total Cost | Accreditation | Admissions | GRE | In-Person | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS in Computer Science | WL | 30 | Varies | — | Deadline-based | Varies | No | Offered through PEPE. Concentrations in Software Engineering, Machine Intelligence, Security, Computational Science, Database Systems. |
| MS in Information Technology | PG | 60 | ~$25,200 | — | Rolling | No | No | ExcelTrack available. Concentrations in Business Analysis, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Health Informatics, Info Systems Management, Project Management. |
| MS in Data Analytics | PG | 60 | ~$25,200 | — | Rolling | No | No | — |
| Program | Institution | Credits | Est. Total Cost | Accreditation | Admissions | GRE | In-Person | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS in Cybersecurity Management | PG | 60 | ~$25,200 | — | Rolling | No | No | — |
| Program | Institution | Credits | Est. Total Cost | Accreditation | Admissions | GRE | In-Person | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS in Education | WL | 30 | Varies | CAEP | Deadline-based | No | No | Concentrations in Curriculum & Instruction, Ed Tech, Special Ed, Gifted Ed, Learning Design & Technology. Some tracks lead to licensure. |
| MS in Education | PG | 60 | ~$25,200 | — | Rolling | No | No | Non-licensure. Concentrations in Teaching & Learning, Special Ed, Instructional Design & Technology, College Teaching & Learning. |
For a broader look at online MSN options, see the MSN programs hub .
| Program | Institution | Credits | Est. Total Cost | Accreditation | Admissions | GRE | In-Person | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner | PG | 67 | ~$28,140 | CCNE | Rolling | No | Yes (clinicals) | Students must arrange clinical placements for direct patient care hours. |
| MSN — Nurse Educator | PG | 55 | ~$23,100 | CCNE | Rolling | No | Yes (practicum) | — |
| MSN — Executive Leader | PG | 55 | ~$23,100 | CCNE | Rolling | No | No | — |
See the psychology programs hub for a broader comparison across universities.
| Program | Institution | Credits | Est. Total Cost | Accreditation | Admissions | GRE | In-Person | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS in Psychology | PG | 60 | ~$25,200 | — | Rolling | No | No | Concentrations in ABA, Industrial/Organizational , Addictions, Child & Adolescent Development, Health & Wellness, Forensic. ABA concentration aligns with BACB coursework requirements. |
| MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | PG | 60 | ~$25,200 | CACREP | Rolling | No | Yes (practicum/internship) | CACREP-accredited — important for licensure in most states. |
See the criminal justice programs hub for additional options.
| Program | Institution | Credits | Est. Total Cost | Accreditation | Admissions | GRE | In-Person | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS in Criminal Justice | PG | 60 | ~$25,200 | — | Rolling | No | No | Concentrations in Law Enforcement, Legal Studies, Homeland Security, Emergency Management, Corrections, Behavioral Health. |
| MS in Legal Studies | PG | 60 | ~$25,200 | — | Rolling | No | No | Not a JD. Concentrations in Business Law, Criminal Law, Government Law & Policy. For juris-oriented master’s options, see online juris master programs . |
See the MHA programs hub for additional comparisons.
| Program | Institution | Credits | Est. Total Cost | Accreditation | Admissions | GRE | In-Person | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Public Health | PG | 60 | ~$25,200 | — | Rolling | No | No | Concentrations in Community Health, Environmental Health, Health Policy & Management. |
| Master of Health Administration | PG | 60 | ~$25,200 | — | Rolling | No | No | — |
| Master of Healthcare Administration | WL | — | Varies | CAHME | Deadline-based | — | No | CAHME-accredited. Offered through the Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering. |
| Program | Institution | Credits | Est. Total Cost | Accreditation | Admissions | GRE | In-Person | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Public Administration | PG | 60 | ~$25,200 | — | Rolling | No | No | Concentrations in Health Care Policy & Management, Public Policy, Environmental Policy, Government & Nonprofit Management. |
| Program | Institution | Credits | Est. Total Cost | Accreditation | Admissions | GRE | In-Person | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS in Communication | WL | 33 | Varies | — | Deadline-based | No | No | Offered through the Brian Lamb School of Communication. Concentrations in Strategic Communication, Communication & Leadership. |
Purdue competes with several major public universities in the online master’s space. The comparison below focuses on the factors that matter most for prospective online students: cost, STEM and business program quality, flexibility, and admissions selectivity.
| Factor | Purdue (WL + Global) | Penn State World Campus | Indiana University Online | Arizona State University | Texas A&M University |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Master’s Breadth | Very large (~40+ programs across two institutions) | Large (~60+ programs, single integrated operation) | Moderate-to-large, strong in business & education | Very large (~100+ programs, industry-leading scale) | Moderate, growing; strong in engineering & agriculture |
| Engineering / STEM Strength | Top-tier (top-10 engineering, robust PEPE delivery) | Strong (top-20 engineering, well-established online) | Limited online engineering offerings | Strong and broad, but less focused on engineering depth | Strong in engineering, especially for Texas residents |
| Business (MBA) Quality | Krannert (AACSB, ~$60K); Purdue Global (ACBSP, ~$25K) | Smeal (AACSB, ~$70K+) | Kelley (AACSB, highly ranked, competitive) | W.P. Carey (AACSB, strong but higher cost) | Mays (AACSB, competitive pricing for Texas residents) |
| Admissions Flexibility | Split: WL is selective/deadline-based; PG is open/rolling | Generally deadline-based, moderate selectivity | Varies by program; Kelley MBA is selective | Broadly accessible, rolling for many programs | Deadline-based, moderate selectivity |
| Cost (Typical Range) | ~$23K–$60K+ (PG is budget-friendly; WL varies widely) | ~$30K–$70K+ (no low-cost open-access arm) | ~$20K–$75K (Kelley MBA is premium) | ~$15K–$55K (competitive pricing, wide range) | ~$30K–$60K+ (in-state advantages significant) |
| Competency-Based / Accelerated Options | Yes — Purdue Global ExcelTrack in several programs | No competency-based model | No competency-based model | Limited; some accelerated formats | No competency-based model |
| Best Distinguishing Feature | Dual-arm structure: flagship rigor (WL) + adult-accessible open enrollment (PG) | Single integrated operation with deep program depth | Kelley MBA reputation; strong education programs | Massive scale, innovation, and access | Engineering strength with Texas in-state cost advantage |
Key takeaways from this comparison:
Purdue is a strong fit for specific types of online master’s students. If you see yourself in one of these profiles, Purdue should be on your shortlist:
Purdue’s online master’s ecosystem is large, but it has real gaps and tradeoffs. Here are specific scenarios where you should look elsewhere:
These are the Purdue online master’s programs that stand out most — either for accreditation quality, structural uniqueness, or alignment with high-demand career paths:
The Krannert online MBA is AACSB-accredited and offers six concentration tracks, including Business Analytics and Global Supply Chain Management. It requires brief in-person immersions, which adds a networking component most fully online MBAs lack. At ~$60,000 estimated total cost, it’s a mid-to-upper-tier investment — significantly cheaper than top private MBA programs but far above Purdue Global’s ACBSP MBA. Best for professionals who want AACSB rigor with some face-to-face connection and can justify the premium over Purdue Global’s alternative.
Purdue’s online engineering master’s spans multiple disciplines (Aeronautics, ECE, Industrial, Mechanical, and more) and is delivered through one of the top-10 engineering schools in the country. The coursework mirrors what on-campus students receive. For working engineers at defense contractors, aerospace firms, or technology companies, this is one of the most credible online engineering credentials available.
CCNE-accredited with rolling admissions and a per-credit cost of $420. The FNP track requires clinical practicum hours (students arrange their own placements), but the online coursework and frequent start dates make this accessible for working RNs who can’t pause their careers for a traditional program. See more options on the MSN programs hub.
CACREP accreditation is the gold standard for counseling licensure, and this program has it. Students complete practicum and internship hours alongside online coursework. For students in states that require CACREP-accredited training, this is one of the stronger online options at a competitive price point.
The ExcelTrack competency-based format is what makes this program distinctive. Experienced IT professionals can demonstrate mastery of competencies rather than sitting through courses they’ve already internalized, potentially completing the degree in 12 months at a fraction of the standard cost. Concentrations include Cybersecurity , Data Analytics, Health Informatics, and Business Analysis.
Purdue’s online admissions process splits cleanly along the two-institution divide, and it’s important to understand what you’re applying to:
The practical difference: if you’re a working professional with a strong GPA and relevant experience, you can likely enter most Purdue Global programs within weeks. Purdue West Lafayette programs require more planning — application deadlines may be months before the term starts, and competitive programs may require additional materials.
For students who want to bypass standardized test requirements across Purdue’s full catalog, see the online master’s programs with no GRE guide.
Cost is where the Purdue WL vs. Purdue Global distinction becomes most stark. These are two fundamentally different pricing models:
Bottom line: If cost is your primary concern, Purdue Global programs in the $23,000–$28,000 range offer solid value for working adults. If you want flagship-caliber credentials in engineering or business, Purdue West Lafayette’s higher price reflects a different tier of selectivity and reputation — but you’ll pay accordingly.
Visit Purdue University’s official online programs page
Purdue’s online master’s programs appear in several OMC rankings. These are the most relevant for evaluating Purdue against peer programs:
Purdue West Lafayette is the original flagship R1 research university in West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue University Global is a separate, accredited institution within the Purdue system designed specifically for working adults and nontraditional students. They share the Purdue name but have different admissions standards, tuition models, program accreditations, and degree credentials. A degree from Purdue Global is not the same as a degree from Purdue West Lafayette — and employers in some fields will distinguish between them.
Yes. Purdue University Global is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the same body that accredits Purdue West Lafayette. Regional accreditation is the standard accepted by most employers and for federal financial aid eligibility.
Yes. Purdue West Lafayette offers multiple online MS engineering programs through Purdue Engineering Professional Education (PEPE), including Aeronautics and Astronautics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. These are fully online with no required on-campus residency.
The Krannert School of Management’s online MBA (Purdue West Lafayette) is AACSB-accredited. The Purdue Global MBA is accredited by ACBSP, a different business accreditation body. Both are legitimate accreditations, but AACSB is generally considered more prestigious.
Purdue Global does not require the GRE or GMAT for any of its online master’s programs. Purdue West Lafayette varies by program — the Krannert MBA offers GMAT/GRE waivers, most education programs do not require the GRE, and some engineering programs may request scores depending on the applicant’s background.
ExcelTrack is Purdue Global’s competency-based learning option available for select programs (including the MBA and MS in IT). Instead of progressing through traditional courses on a fixed schedule, students demonstrate mastery of defined competencies at their own pace. This can significantly reduce both time-to-completion and total cost for experienced professionals.
Yes. Purdue Global’s MSN programs (FNP, Nurse Educator, Executive Leader) are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The FNP and Nurse Educator tracks require clinical/practicum hours that students must arrange in their local area.