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Valparaiso , IN
Valparaiso University is a private college located in Valparaiso, Indiana. It was founded in 1859 and has since grown to become one of the top-ranked regional universities in the Midwest. With a strong liberal arts foundation, Valparaiso University offers a wide range of programs across its five undergraduate colleges, including arts and sciences, business, engineering, nursing, and Christ College - the Honors College.
The university prides itself on providing a supportive and inclusive learning community where students can thrive academically, intellectually, and spiritually. Valparaiso University is known for its commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. Faculty members are experts in their fields and genuinely invested in their students' success, providing individualized attention and mentorship opportunities.
Valparaiso University also offers a vibrant campus life with numerous student-led organizations, clubs, and athletic teams. The university's location in Valparaiso provides students with a charming and safe community, while still being within driving distance of Chicago and other major cities. Whether it is through academics, extracurricular activities, or community service, Valparaiso University offers students a well-rounded education that prepares them for personal and professional success.
Valparaiso University is a private comprehensive higher education institution located in Valparaiso, IN. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 89%. The freshman retention rate at Valparaiso University is 75.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 70%.
Read more about what Valparaiso University has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
2,123
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$48,820
Tuition
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
70%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to maximize your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the university's criteria for admission. What are the admission requirements for Valparaiso University?
According to the newest information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 5,438 in 2025. Valparaiso University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
38.68% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 5.22% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.69. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
The freshman retention rate for Valparaiso University was 75.4% in 2025, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 70%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by finding out more about its student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution enrolled 2,579 students.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 46. There was a total of 2,123 those pursuing undergraduate studies, including 87 international students. The school admitted a total of 102 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 996 male and 1,355 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Valparaiso University.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 78, while the number of Black American students was 134. 287 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 92 as multirace. There were also 47 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Valparaiso University? Here is what you need to know.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $48,820 in 2025. Since this is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students reached $1,570 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
The estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important financial factor. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,200.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Valparaiso University was $14,300 in 2025. If you only needed a dorm room, you had to pay $8,400 for the 2025 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $6,800.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 48,820 |
| Room and Board | $ 14,300 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 64,320 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial support can be a great deal for most students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid you might get at Valparaiso University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 483 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students totaled $39,715.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet some eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 1,659 students who secured need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 1,664. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $4,713,811, and state $4,834,752. The students of Valparaiso University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $33,948,730, and external in the amount of $1,636,411.
$25,707
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 456 students overall (including freshmen) at Valparaiso University in 2025. 148 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $26,113,244. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $185,383 USD.
Open Applications
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Majors
Faculty
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Valparaiso University was 11:1: that means 11 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. This school has recently reported to have 282 faculty members. This number included 127 men and 155 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Valparaiso University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some info about social life at Valparaiso University.
Its campus spans 350 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
Based on the most up-to-date information available, there are 139 open-membership organizations at Valparaiso University. That includes sororities and fraternities. 26 percent of male and 29 of female students take part in in different organizations at Valparaiso University. The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students is University Programming Council, followed by Cultural Based Organizations and Fraternity & Sorority Life. Other popular student organizations at this school are Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity and Alliance.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For individuals with an interest in media and communication, Valparaiso University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Valparaiso University, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The dormitory entrances at the school are electronically controlled. There is a 24-hour security patrol. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at Valparaiso University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Valparaiso University.
Career Counselling
At Valparaiso University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Acquiring information about the potential income after graduation can help you decide if a specific school is the right one for your career aspirations.
The starting salary for graduates employed within six months of graduating at this school averages 64,857 USD.
$64,857
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Valparaiso University is located in Valparaiso, IN.
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According to the latest information, the tuition for Valparaiso University is 48,820 USD a year.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Valparaiso University is 89%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Valparaiso University is 75.4%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.