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Valparaiso University

Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, IN · Suburb · 2,083 students
Website Common App Forbes ranking Scorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$18,578
Average net priceYour net price
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
69%
Graduation rate
58% typical
$63,191
Earnings 10 years on
$55,545 typical
89%
Acceptance rate
81% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Valparaiso University is an independent, faith-informed institution in northwest Indiana best known for its nationally recognized undergraduate engineering program, strong nursing and health professions, and standout offerings in meteorology and business. Central to its intellectual identity is Christ College, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious interdisciplinary honors colleges, which integrates classical liberal arts inquiry with rigorous pre-professional training. Anchored by the iconic Chapel of the Resurrection, campus life is close-knit and deeply service-oriented, offering students a collaborative community enriched by NCAA Division I athletics, robust undergraduate research, and an emphasis on ethical leadership.

Wikipedia:Valparaiso University (Valpo) is a private university in Valparaiso, Indiana, United States. It is an independent Lutheran university with five colleges. It enrolls nearly 2,300 students and has a 350-acre (140 ha) campus.

Location
Valparaiso, IN, 46383 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
MDW · Chicago Midway
43 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$48,450
Housing & food (on campus)$13,618
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$58,437
Average net price$18,578
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$48,450
Housing & food (on campus)$13,618
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$58,437
Average net price$18,578
Net price by family income
$0–30k
$11,043
$30–48k
$12,055
$48–75k
$15,279
$75–110k
$22,311
$110k+
$24,780
Grants from the school
100% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $32,045
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Merit aid
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$28,508
Share of first-years who get one19%
Source: Valparaiso University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
69%
Within 4 yrs
62%
Back for yr 2
75%
Transferred
0%
Pell students: 58.3% · others: 75.6% 
8 yrs after starting
72% graduated · 22% transferred · 6% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$55,216
10 yrs after entry$63,191
Debt
Median at graduation$26,942
Monthly payment$286
Middle 50% owe$11.5k–$30k
90th percentile$35,750
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral/Professional University: 58% graduate within 6 yrs, $55,545 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
89%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1178
R 540–640 · M 520–640
SAT middle 50%: 1060–1280
40080012001600
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 89.2% · women 89.9% 
Yield: 9.6% of admitted students enroll 

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Valparaiso University: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Valparaiso University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Valparaiso University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 43%Women 57%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
10 : 1
Pell grant
27%
First-gen
29%
Family income
$70,535
Independent
10%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
1%
Where first-years come from
In state (IN)
56.0%
Out of state
42.1%
International
1.5%

Most out-of-state first-years from: IL 140 · MI 15 · WI 14 · MO 8 · OH 8

Race & ethnicity
White
66%
Hispanic
14%
Black
6%
Asian
4%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
4%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FCS
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Bowling
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$55,216
After 10 yrs
$63,191
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing119
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General44
Psychology, General38
Mechanical Engineering28
Biology, General26
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology22
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods21
Civil Engineering20
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering20
Marketing18
Business Administration, Management and Operations17
Criminology16
Computer Science14
Computer Engineering14
Chemistry14
Social Work14
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$312M
Full-time faculty
70%
Faculty salary
$8,127/mo
Teaching spend
$11,626
per student
Federal loans
52%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral/Professional University
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Valparaiso University is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search