USNWR ranks Purdue No. 6 in co-ops, internships
Purdue University’s Cooperative (Co-op) Education Program and internship programs have earned the No. 6 spot in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) “Best Colleges” rankings.
Released annually, the USNWR rankings highlight programs and colleges with programs that enhance the student experience. The ranking is reflective of the positive impact that Co-op — and other voluntary career preparation programs hosted through the Office of Professional Practice (OPP) — have on the overall Purdue student experience.
“The Office of Professional Practice is proud to help students connect with meaningful experiences shaping their futures and enhancing their career-trajectory,” said Joe Tort, OPP managing director. “Purdue’s long history of developing top STEM talent enables us to easily connect with employers representing a broad scope of industry sectors. These connections allow us to develop unique opportunities both domestically and globally to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow.
“The ranking is a testament to the scale, breadth and quality of our programs.”
Co-op began with eight mechanical engineering students and seven employers in 1954 as a means for students to finance their education. In 2026, over 80% of graduating Purdue Engineering students completed at least one co-op or internship, combining financial support and early career experience. Frequently connected to Co-op alumni — and ranging from nonprofits to Fortune 500 employers — current Purdue students gain insight into engineering careers and day-to-day experiences in real-world engineering.
Students who engage in co-ops graduate with paid, multi-semester work rotations. They are prepared for the experiences — domestic and abroad, namely through the Global Engineering Alliance for Research and Education (GEARE) — with courses and firsthand accounts from teaching assistants with co-op or internship experience.
Co-op allows students to rotate between hands-on work experience and in-depth classes. Which, for students like senior Olivia Holley, provides a refreshing break.
“Being able to rotate between a semester of class and full-time working and learning in that experience is less stressful,” said Holley, who studies chemical engineering and has completed rotations with Sun Chemical and ExxonMobil. “Coming back from my fall co-op rotation in the spring with a fresh palette was very good for my mental health. In my co-ops I would catch myself thinking, ‘I can’t wait to learn more about these things when I go back to classes.’”
Students record the experiences through a zero-credit course — placing the co-op experience on a transcript for all employers to see.
In addition to the pay and resume-bolstering experience, students in co-ops also earn certificates to testify to their experiences: an industry co-op (three rotations or one year of experience) or extended industry co-op (five rotations or 18 months) certification.
OPP also makes available to students four Industry Knowledge Certificates, which combine classes and work experiences into a concentrated certification. Another way for students to become equipped with in-demand industry skills and high-quality experiences before graduation.
Something that Purdue Engineering students — now entering legacy generations, like Larissa Evans, whose father Christopher completed co-op rotations — are seeking in increasing demand.
“The more I learned about the Co-op Program, the more enticing it was,” said Larissa Evans, a senior in chemical engineering. “I liked the idea of being able to get real-world, hands-on experience with a company in three to five different roles. It was comforting knowing I’d be better prepared when I graduated and be able to actually experience what being a chemical engineer was like.”