Purdue Motorsports Engineering

Fast Track to the Finish Line: Purdue’s One-of-a-Kind Motorsports Engineering Major

Purdue has two campuses—West Lafayette (home to the main campus) and Indianapolis, where something truly unique is happening. At Purdue University in Indianapolis, you’ll find the only ABET-accredited undergraduate Motorsports Engineering program in the country.

Located just minutes from the world-famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway—home of the Indy 500—this program places students right in the heart of American racing culture. It’s more than location; it’s immersion. Students gain hands-on experience in vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, and data acquisition, and many go on to work with top teams in IndyCar, NASCAR, and beyond.

Want more? There’s also a five-year pathway to earn both a bachelor’s in motorsports and a master’s in mechanical engineering.

A few key things to keep in mind:

• Purdue is test-expected—submitting SAT or ACT scores is strongly recommended.
• If you’re taking the new ACT, Purdue will not consider the science section, even if submitted.
• Most admitted students submit scores, especially for competitive majors like this.
• Purdue does not use GPA in its evaluation. Instead, they look directly at your transcript grades.
• Tuition has been frozen for 14 consecutive years—a rare and welcome stability in the world of higher ed.

Until July 2024, Purdue Indianapolis was combined with Indiana University, Indianapolis, when the two universities split into distinct campuses. Purdue Indianapolis now has residence halls with 426 beds under construction, which are expected to open in 2027. This expansion is expected to evolve the university into a residential campus with a vibrant campus life.

If you’re dreaming of a career in motorsports engineering—and want to learn right where the rubber meets the road—Purdue Indianapolis might just be your track.