Valparaiso University
#1 Best Nursing Colleges in Indiana- Graduation Rate
- 69% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $63,191 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $18,578 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 89% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 19.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.9 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Nursing Colleges in Indiana.
Every $1 spent returns $19.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,406,848.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Graduates earn 55% more than the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $19.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.9%
- Top 26%
- Patents
- 41
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 18
- Downstream influence
Why Valparaiso University Matters
Valparaiso University is a private doctoral / professional university in Valparaiso, IN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an unusually high rate of inventors and patents and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 2,083
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- 67
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Engineering, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Valparaiso University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 89% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1060–1280. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,578 a year after grants and scholarships — 8% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $63,191 ten years after enrolling — 55% above the typical college, against $26,942 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 87% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.66 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Valparaiso University has an acceptance rate of 89%, making it accessible to a wide range of students. With an enrollment of 2,083, it offers a community feel while still providing a diverse learning environment. The university’s commitment to education is evident in its focus on key programs like Health Professions, Engineering, and Business.
Data from Opportunity Insights reveals that students from Valparaiso have the potential for upward mobility, though specific figures are not available. The university’s graduation rate stands at 69%, indicating that a significant number of students complete their degrees, which can substantially enhance their career prospects. While exact mobility rates are missing, the focus on practical fields suggests a solid foundation for post-graduation success.
Attending Valparaiso comes with a net price of $18,578, and graduates earn an average of $63,191 ten years after enrollment. The median debt of $26,942 shows that while students may incur debt, their earning potential can make repayment manageable. Students who thrive here often pursue programs in health, engineering, or business, capitalizing on the university's strengths in these areas.
Rankings
- #1 Best Nursing Colleges in Indiana
- #3 Best Online Colleges in Indiana
- #4 Best Computer Science Colleges in Indiana
- #4 Best Engineering Colleges in Indiana
- #4 Best Data Science Colleges in Indiana
- #5 Best Colleges in Indiana
- #7 Best Bachelor's Programs in Indiana
- #7 Best Communications Colleges in Indiana
Can I Get In?
How selective Valparaiso University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Valparaiso University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Valparaiso, Indiana, Valparaiso University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 89%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,178. The graduation rate is roughly 69%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 89%
- Retention Rate
- 75%
- SAT Average
- 1178
- SAT Range
- 1060–1280
- ACT Range
- 23–31
- Full-Time Faculty
- 70%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,127
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.53
- First-Gen Students
- 29%
- Applicants
- 6,842
- Admitted
- 6,442
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2025-26
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Valparaiso University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 12% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 12%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 33%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 4%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 37% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Valparaiso University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Valparaiso University is $48,450, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,578. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,043 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,942 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $48,450
- Out-of-State
- $48,450
- Avg Net Price
- $18,578
- Median Debt
- $26,942
- Pell Grant Rate
- 27%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 52%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,043
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,055
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,279
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,780
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Valparaiso University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Valparaiso University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Valparaiso University earn a median of $63,191, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $55,216
- 8 Years
- $59,972
- 10 Years
- $63,191
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.43x
- Earning > $25K
- 73%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (399)
- 56%
- 100% (399)
- 56%
- 100% (399)
- 56%
- 100% (399)
- 56%
Where Grads Go
Top employers of Valparaiso University’s MBA graduates, by hires reported in the school’s employment report.
How Valparaiso Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Valparaiso University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Valparaiso University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,578/year ($74,312 total). Graduates earn $63,191 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,481,160 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,406,848 (19.9× your investment). The median debt is $26,942, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 69% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $74,312
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,481,160
- Net Return
- $1,406,848
- ROI Multiple
- 19.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,578
- Median Debt
- $26,942
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 69%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Valparaiso University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Valparaiso University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.81%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 28% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $107,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.81%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 28.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 2.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $145,376
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Valparaiso University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 41 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.93%
- Top 26% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 41
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 18
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 1.47%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-5,757,001
Top Programs
The fields Valparaiso University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 28% $74,778 early-career
- Engineering 15% $88,611 early-career
- Business & Marketing 13% $66,496 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 6% $33,550 early-career
- Social Sciences 6% $48,083 early-career
- Physical Sciences 5% $36,562 early-career
- Psychology 5% $32,844 early-career
- Communications 4% $44,210 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Valparaiso University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Valparaiso University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Valparaiso, Indiana, Valparaiso University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 89%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,178. The graduation rate is roughly 69%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Valparaiso University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Valparaiso University is $48,450, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,578. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,043 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,942 in federal student loans.
Is Valparaiso University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Valparaiso University earn a median of $63,191, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Valparaiso University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Valparaiso University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.81%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 28% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $107,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Valparaiso University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Valparaiso University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.66, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Valparaiso University offer Early Decision?
No. Valparaiso University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2025-26 Common Data Set).
Is Valparaiso University really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 37% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Valparaiso University (2025-26 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Valparaiso University?
About 12% of admitted students choose to enroll at Valparaiso University — its yield rate (2025-26 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Valparaiso University.
- Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionMarion, IN · Close peer67% grad $59,986 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bellarmine UniversityLouisville, KY · Close peer66% grad $62,069 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Wheaton CollegeWheaton, IL · Close peer86% grad $63,756 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Bethel UniversitySaint Paul, MN · Close peer73% grad $63,764 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham CampusMadison, NJ · Close peer70% grad $57,273 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Marian UniversityIndianapolis, IN · Close peer64% grad $58,759 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Valparaiso University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Valparaiso University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.66, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note