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Valparaiso University

Valpo

Valparaiso, Indiana 46383

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Health sciencesSuburbanGreek lifeSports culture

Known for health sciences

Valparaiso University is a private institution in Valparaiso with particular strength in health sciences and engineering. With an average SAT of 1226, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 2.2K undergraduates with a 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

67% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $63,191 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $21,583.

Established
1859
Motto
In luce tua videmus lucem
Type
Private university
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

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92%Acceptance
1226SAT Avg
2,229Students
11:1Student:Faculty
67%Grad Rate
$63,191Earnings 10yr
$21,583Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate92.2%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1226

Reading & Writing
540660
Math
540650

ACT Score Range

Composite
2530

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$46,588
Room & Board$13,306
Books & Supplies$1,200
Total Cost of Attendance$57,393
Average Net Price$21,583
Median Debt at Graduation$26,942
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$14,476
$30–48K$15,334
$48–75K$20,556
$75–110K$23,539
$110K+$26,871

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

47.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.8%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$22,133

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

15

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

4

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

4

Drug Arrests

3

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (130)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

79%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
2,229
Gender Split
58% / 42%
Women / Men
First Generation
29%
Pell Grant Recipients
26%

Race & Ethnicity

White 69%
Black 6%
Hispanic 11%
Asian 3%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 4%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate67.0%
Freshman Retention78.8%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$55,216
10 Years$63,191

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#204
vs 2024
Forbes
#384
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#149
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Beacons

SwimmingTennis competeBasketball headSoccerBasketball followedVolleyballGolf

History & Fun Facts

  • (February 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) In 1859, residents of the city of Valparaiso raised $11,000 in support of the Methodist Church locating the college there.
  • The school opened on September 21, 1859, to 75 students, and was one of the first coeducational colleges in the nation.
  • Financing problems led to the closing of the school in 1871.
  • In 1902, Valparaiso became affiliated with the American College of Medicine and Surgery.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

93Average

Estimated from IN state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Chicagopop. 2.7M
42 mi(73 min)
Milwaukeepop. 570K
118 mi(205 min)
Indianapolispop. 880K
126 mi(218 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

ORD Chicago O'Hare57 mi
MKE Milwaukee112 mi
IND Indianapolis127 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA823 mi · ~23h 47m drive
New York, NY680 mi · ~19h 39m drive
Hartford, CT742 mi · ~21h 26m drive
Providence, RI806 mi · ~23h 17m drive
Albany, NY686 mi · ~19h 49m drive
Syracuse, NY567 mi · ~16h 23m drive
Rochester, NY496 mi · ~14h 20m drive
Buffalo, NY429 mi · ~12h 24m drive
Philadelphia, PA630 mi · ~18h 12m drive
Pittsburgh, PA374 mi · ~10h 48m drive
Harrisburg, PA537 mi · ~15h 31m drive
Newark, NJ671 mi · ~19h 23m drive
Washington, DC556 mi · ~16h 4m drive
Baltimore, MD569 mi · ~16h 26m drive
Atlanta, GA552 mi · ~15h 57m drive
Charlotte, NC546 mi · ~15h 46m drive
Raleigh, NC599 mi · ~17h 18m drive
Miami, FL1153 mi · ~33h 19m drive
Orlando, FL948 mi · ~27h 23m drive
Tampa, FL969 mi · ~28h drive
Nashville, TN366 mi · ~10h 34m drive
New Orleans, LA813 mi · ~23h 29m drive
Richmond, VA579 mi · ~16h 44m drive
Chicago, IL42 mi · ~1h 13m drive
Detroit, MI214 mi · ~6h 11m drive
Minneapolis, MN396 mi · ~11h 26m drive
St. Louis, MO257 mi · ~7h 25m drive
Kansas City, MO429 mi · ~12h 24m drive
Indianapolis, IN126 mi · ~3h 38m drive
Columbus, OH236 mi · ~6h 49m drive
Cleveland, OH277 mi · ~8h drive
Milwaukee, WI118 mi · ~3h 25m drive
Dallas, TX805 mi · ~23h 15m drive
Houston, TX933 mi · ~26h 57m drive
Austin, TX977 mi · ~28h 13m drive
San Antonio, TX1050 mi · ~30h 20m drive
Los Angeles, CA1769 mi · ~51h 6m drive
San Francisco, CA1887 mi · ~54h 31m drive
San Diego, CA1756 mi · ~50h 44m drive
Seattle, WA1773 mi · ~51h 13m drive
Portland, OR1793 mi · ~51h 48m drive
Denver, CO947 mi · ~27h 21m drive
Phoenix, AZ1474 mi · ~42h 35m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1290 mi · ~37h 16m drive
Honolulu, HI4282 mi · ~123h 42m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

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