Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis

Overview

Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) traces its origins to 1891, when Indiana University first began offering classes in Indianapolis. Over the following decades, both Indiana University (IU) and Purdue University expanded their presence in the city by providing higher education programs in fields such as the liberal arts and medicine. However, the two institutions operated separately until 1968, when then-Mayor Richard Lugar advocated for the creation of a major state university in Indianapolis. This led to the merger of IU and Purdue’s programs and schools in 1969, forming IUPUI.

Since its establishment, IUPUI has evolved into Indiana’s leading urban research university, serving as a collaboration between Indiana University and Purdue University. As Indiana’s urban research and academic health sciences campus, IUPUI is committed to advancing the state’s intellectual and economic growth through research, teaching, and civic engagement. By offering a diverse array of bachelor’s, master’s, professional, and doctoral programs, IUPUI fosters educational, cultural, and economic development within central Indiana and beyond. Through innovative collaborations, external partnerships, and a dedication to diversity, IUPUI continues to contribute significantly to higher education and research on both a national and international scale.