Which has a better overall reputation: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Purdue University?

UIUC and Purdue are viewed as peers, but UIUC usually has a slightly broader all-around academic reputation, while Purdue is especially iconic for engineering and aerospace. Employers and graduate schools know both names well, and neither choice will be seen as a weak option. If you mean pure general academic prestige across more departments, UIUC tends to get a small edge; if you mean immediate recognition in technical fields, Purdue is at least as strong and in some areas stronger.

UIUC tends to stand out for the student who wants a university whose reputation stretches beyond STEM into areas like business, computer science, and several liberal arts and sciences departments. It is often seen as a very complete flagship research university with national visibility across a wide range of fields. That gives it a slightly stronger “overall university” reputation in the eyes of many people.

Purdue tends to resonate most with the student who wants a school whose name is tightly associated with hands-on technical training, engineering, aviation, and applied science. Its brand is extremely strong with employers, especially in engineering-heavy industries, and the Purdue name carries a very practical, respected image. In some circles, that focused technical identity makes it more recognizable than UIUC.

So if you are asking for one simple answer, UIUC has a marginal edge in overall reputation, while Purdue has equally strong or stronger reputation in certain STEM areas. For employers and other colleges, the difference is small enough that your major, experience, and performance will matter much more than the school name alone.