Purdue Global: Degree Programs & Overview

Purdue Global is the online campus of Purdue University. Discover everything you need to know about Purdue Global, including programs, accreditation, and tuition.

Online colleges are becoming more and more popular, but it's important to ensure that you're choosing one that's accredited and high-quality.

For many students, that's Purdue Global.

Keep reading for a full overview of Purdue Global, including programs offered by the university and tuition costs.

What Is Purdue Global?

Purdue Global is the online campus of the Purdue Global system, a public university system in Indiana.

It's dedicated to offering online degrees and programs to working adults.

The university started out as Purdue Global, a for-profit university system that primarily offered online programs.

Purdue Global had several issues, including a 2010 report that claimed that Kaplan, along with other for-profit colleges, left students with heavy debt and unaccredited credentials.

After several years of declining enrollment, Graham Holdings, the owner of Purdue Global, sold the university to Purdue Global for one dollar in 2017.

Purdue Global opened its virtual doors on April 2, 2018. Today, it enrolls about 33,500 students and conferred 10,700 degrees in the 2022-2023 school year.

The university, like Purdue Global, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Many of its programs are accredited as well.

What Programs Does Purdue Global Offer?

Purdue Global offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as certificates, and special military programs.

Associate Degrees at Purdue Global

A handful of associate degrees are available from Purdue Global.

The most common degree field for associate students is business, but students can also earn associate degrees in:

Purdue Global runs on a quarter-credit format, and associate degrees typically require 90 quarter credits, the equivalent of 60 semester credits.

This usually takes about two years to complete.

Bachelor's Degrees at Purdue Global

The most common field for bachelor's degrees at Purdue Global is health sciences, but there is a large variety of degree options. Other fields include:

Bachelor's degrees usually require around 180 quarter credits (120 semester credits) and take two years to complete.

Master's Degrees at Purdue Global

Like bachelor's degrees, the most common degree field for master's degrees at Purdue Global is health sciences. Other fields include:

Master's degrees vary in length, but most require between 50 and 60 quarter credits and take about two years to complete.

Doctoral Degrees at Purdue Global

Three professional doctorates are offered at Purdue Global. These are:

Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation
Doctor of Health Science
Doctor of Nursing Practice

The course and credit load depends on the program, but the average student finishes their doctoral degree at Purdue Global in one and a half to two and a half years.

Certificate Programs at Purdue Global

Purdue Global offers multiple certificate programs to help students further their careers. Undergraduate and graduate certificates are available in:

Business
Criminal Justice
Education
Health Sciences
Human Services
Information Technology
Legal Studies
Nursing
Professional Studies
Psychology

The overall length of a certificate program at Purdue Global depends on the specific program.

Most certificate programs take between 6-12 months to complete.

Special Military Programs

Military members can put their military experience toward their associate degree. Purdue Global offers three special military programs:

Associate of Applied Science in Health Science for Military
Associate of Science in Health Science for Military
Associate of Applied Science in Small Group Management for Military

Students who hold certain occupations within the military will be eligible to reduce their overall credit load as well as receive a discount on tuition.

What Are ExcelTrack Programs at Purdue Global?

Certain bachelor's and master's degrees are available in Purdue Global's ExcelTrack format.

This format is for students who have at least three years of professional experience.

Students in ExcelTrack programs start by taking an assessment to see how much they already know.

Then they receive a personalized curriculum based on their knowledge and experience.

The courses in ExcelTrack programs are worth one credit each and are highly focused.

Once you finish one course, you can move on to the next, and take as many courses per term as you can complete.

ExcelTrack bachelor's degrees are available in the following majors:

Analytics
Business Administration
Cloud Computing and Solutions
Criminal Justice
Cybersecurity
Health Care Administration
Information Technology
Nursing, Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

ExcelTrack master's degrees and certificates are available in the following areas:

Business Administration
Cybersecurity Management
Information Technology
Nursing
Nurse Executive Leadership

How Much Is Tuition at Purdue Global?

Tuition at Purdue Global depends on a few factors, such as the level of program you're taking, the format you're learning in, your state of residence, and whether you're a military member.

Generally, undergraduate programs cost $371 per credit, which totals $66,780 for 180 credits. There are a few exceptions:

Nursing degrees are $315 per quarter credit
Indiana residents pay $280 per quarter credit
Current military members pay $165, while veterans pay $230 per credit. Military spouses receive a 10% discount.

ExcelTrack bachelor's programs cost $2,500 per ten-week term, with the exception of the RN to BSN program, which is $4,062 per term.

Most master's programs and graduate certificates cost $420 per credit, although some cost $485 per credit. Doctorate degrees are $700 per credit. Exceptions include:

Indiana residents receive a 10% discount
Active military members pay $320 for master's degrees and $560 for graduate degrees
Veterans pay between $361.20-$417.10 per credit for master's degrees, while doctoral degrees cost $595 per credit.
Military spouses receive a 10% discount.

The price for ExcelTrack master's programs is $1,700 per term for most programs but $3,200 for the nursing programs.

Earn Your Degree at Purdue Global

Purdue Global is an online university that offers associate through doctoral programs.

With the overview above, you can determine if a degree at Purdue Global is right for you.