Students come to Purdue with varied backgrounds.  About 55 percent of the department's graduate students are U.S. citizens and come from all parts of the country.  Included in this group are some who have had extensive experience overseas in the U.S. Peace Corps, in agriculture, agribusiness, and government agencies.  Many transfer to Purdue from other land-grant institutions; others come from urban backgrounds, have attended liberal arts schools, or have returned to school after years of business experience.  About 45 percent of the department's graduate students come from outside the United States.  The department's graduate students usually represent about 25 countries.  This rich mixture of student backgrounds contributes significantly to the breadth of students' professional training.

Students earning advanced degrees at Purdue have done well in the professional job market.  Recent Ph.D. graduates have secured faculty appointments at various U.S. and foreign universities.  Several graduates have taken positions with the USDA and other federal government agencies.  Students from other lands often return to positions with high levels of responsibility in their home countries.