Valparaiso University — College Profile

About

Located in Valparaiso, Indiana, Valparaiso University is a private, Lutheran-heritage institution renowned for seamlessly integrating rigorous academics with a deeply rooted commitment to service and civic engagement. The university is particularly celebrated for its premier, nationally ranked College of Engineering, robust nursing and health sciences programs, and Christ College, a highly prestigious, discussion-based honors college. Student life is characterized by a warm, collaborative campus culture that features Division I athletics, active Greek organizations, and a strong emphasis on undergraduate research and leadership. This close-knit community is anchored by the iconic Chapel of the Resurrection, one of the largest collegiate chapels in the world, which serves as a spectacular physical and spiritual centerpiece for the student experience.

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These figures are federal data and may be out of date.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

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Net price by family income · 2023-24

$0–30k

$11,043

$30–48k

$12,055

$48–75k

$15,279

$75–110k

$22,311

$110k+

$24,780

Your family's actual price → Valparaiso University net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Merit aid · 2025-26

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%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

62%

Back for yr 2

75%

Transferred

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

72% graduated · 22% transferred · 6% left or unknown · none still enrolled

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

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 · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

89%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

1178

R 540–640 · M 520–640

SAT middle 50%: 1060–1280

40080012001600

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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 for 2025-26 — 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

Race & ethnicity

White

66%

Hispanic

14%

Black

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25

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 · measured 2020 & 2021

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