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Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, IN·Private nonprofit·2,229 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. generous financial aid cuts net price well below sticker.

92%
Accept
2,229
Students
$21,583
Net Price
67%
Grad Rate
$54,400
Earnings
10 yr
$22,133
Debt

About This School

Valparaiso University is a private nonprofit institution located in Valparaiso, Indiana with approximately 2,229 undergraduate students enrolled. Valparaiso University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 92%. The average net price after financial aid is $21,583 per year. The graduation rate is 67%, and the typical graduate earns $54,400 within 10 years of enrollment.

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.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 92% acceptance rate means admission is accessible, but a 67% graduation rate suggests a meaningful number of students don't finish — worth asking about when you visit. On the financial side, things look reasonable, with an average net price of about $21,600 per year and median debt of $22,133 at graduation, balanced against median earnings of $54,400 a decade out. Worth considering if you're drawn to a small Lutheran-affiliated campus with a tight-knit community, but push the admissions office on what support systems exist to help students actually cross the finish line.

Founded
1859
Setting
Small suburb

Popular Programs

Health Professions29%
Engineering15%
Business & Marketing12%
Social Sciences6%
Physical Sciences6%
Psychology5%
Biological Sciences5%
Education4%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Beulah BondiMikhail BorodinGeorge W. NorrisLowell ThomasRyan BroekhoffWilliam MarchLuboš BartoňJeremiah WrightCarl Otto LamplandRoy E. AyersMarya ZaturenskaAlec Peters

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1226
Reading 75th %ile660
Math 75th %ile650

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$46,588
Out-of-State Tuition
$46,588
Avg Net Price
$21,583
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants26%
Median debt at graduation$22,133

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
67%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
79%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$54,400
after enrollment
Median Debt
$22,133
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$22,133
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$42,200
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$54,400
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.5x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White69%
Black6%
Hispanic/Latino11%
Asian3%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,229 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Valparaiso University

US Highway 30 and Sturdy Road

Valparaiso, IN 46383

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Indiana

Browse all Indiana schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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