Valparaiso University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Valparaiso, Indiana · Private nonprofit · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
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Valparaiso University is a private nonprofit university in Valparaiso, Indiana that admits about 89% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $18,578 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Mechanical Engineering and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 70% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.4 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Valparaiso University is a private institution located in Valparaiso, Indiana. For the most recent reporting cycle, Valparaiso University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 89%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT around 1178. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $18,578 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Valparaiso University?
65% of enrolled students at Valparaiso University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.69, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does Valparaiso University weight in admissions?
Valparaiso University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Application essay
SAT and ACT scores Valparaiso University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 520–640, with an EBRW midpoint near —. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 23–31. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | — |
| 50th percentile | 1178 |
| 75th percentile | — |
| % submitting SAT | 38.68% |
| 25th percentile | 23 |
| 50th percentile | — |
| 75th percentile | 31 |
| % submitting ACT | 5.22% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 24% |
| Top 25% of class | 58% |
| Top 50% of class | 87% |
| % submitting class rank | 51% |
How much does Valparaiso University actually cost?
Published tuition is $48,450 for in-state students and $48,450 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,618 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $18,578 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 27% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $48,820 |
| Room and board | $14,300 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $18,578 |
| Application fee | $200 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Valparaiso University
| Notification date | Rolling beginning Nov 15 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from Valparaiso University?
These predict outcomes at Valparaiso University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Valparaiso University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Valparaiso University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Mechanical Engineering and Psychology, General. Across all programs, Valparaiso University confers roughly 372 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $79,968 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 147 | $79,968 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 42 | $83,142 |
| Psychology, General | 39 | $47,422 |
| Biology, General | 36 | $56,922 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 28 | $48,557 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 28 | — |
| Civil Engineering | 27 | $80,194 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 25 | $84,445 |
Is Valparaiso University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Valparaiso University disclosed 7 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.4 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 4 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Valparaiso University?
About 57% of undergraduates at Valparaiso University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 26% of men join a fraternity and 29% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
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Common questions parents ask about Valparaiso University
What GPA do I need for Valparaiso University?
65% of enrolled students at Valparaiso University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.69, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Valparaiso University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 520–640, with an EBRW midpoint near —. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 23–31.
How much does Valparaiso University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Valparaiso University after grants and scholarships is $18,578 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $48,450. Budget against the net figure.
Is Valparaiso University realistic for my child?
Valparaiso University admits 89% of applicants, so 520–640 SAT Math is target range and below 520 is a reach. Then check the $18,578 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Valparaiso University?
Valparaiso University accepts about 89% of applicants out of roughly 6,087 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Valparaiso University test-optional?
Yes. Valparaiso University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Valparaiso University?
About 70% of students at Valparaiso University graduate within six years. 75% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Valparaiso University look for in applicants?
Valparaiso University rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Valparaiso University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Valparaiso University is a private nonprofit institution located in Valparaiso, Indiana.
What are the most popular majors at Valparaiso University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Valparaiso University by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Mechanical Engineering and Psychology, General. The school awards about 372 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Valparaiso University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Valparaiso University reported 7 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.4 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Valparaiso University?
At Valparaiso University, 57% of undergraduates live on campus, 26% of men are in fraternities, 29% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Valparaiso University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers