Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana · Private Nonprofit · 89.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 72/100 · Fair Value
Valparaiso University scores 72 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale -- a score built on a solid 7.6-year payback period and $42,200 median 6-year earnings against a $18,578 net price, despite a $48,450 sticker tuition. The 70.4% completion rate and 83.7% repayment rate are both acceptable. Health Services/Allied Health Sciences (44 graduates, A grade, $115,095 year-four) is the top program; Registered Nursing (119 graduates, B grade, $73,747 year-one) and Mechanical Engineering (28 graduates, B grade, $68,265 year-one) anchor the school's professional core. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.638 is the primary drag on the score; median debt of $26,942 is uniform across most programs regardless of field. Notably, essentially all programs show $27,000 in median debt -- close to the federal loan maximum -- which suggests students are borrowing to the institutional maximum across all majors. The school enrolls 2,083 students in Valparaiso, Indiana.
Valparaiso University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $48,450/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $48,450/yr |
| Average net price | $18,578/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $74,312 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $63,191 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $42,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,942 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 7.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 70.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,083 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Valparaiso University is $48,450/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $18,578/year, or roughly $74,312 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $11,043/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $24,780/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,942 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $286 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $63,191 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.64 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,043 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,055 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,279 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,311 |
| $110,001+ | $24,780 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $11,043 per year at Valparaiso -- roughly $44,172 over four years if completed. Against $42,200 median 6-year earnings and a 7.6-year payback at average net price, low-income students face a workable cost structure for nursing or engineering tracks. For other programs with D-grade outcomes, the financial case is more difficult.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $15,279 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $22,311. At these levels the payback period is approximately 8-12 years depending on program. Health, nursing, and engineering graduates will close the gap faster; humanities and social science graduates will face longer payback windows against the $26,942 median debt.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000 or more pay $24,780 per year -- roughly $99,000 over four years. For nursing and engineering graduates earning $69k-$74k at year one, the payback period is approximately 6-7 years. For programs with D-grade outcomes, the payback at this price level extends well beyond a decade. Program-specific financial modeling is especially important for full-pay families at Valparaiso.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Valparaiso University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $81,278 | B |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $115,095 | A |
| Psychology | $58,104 | D |
| Mechanical Engineering | $90,583 | B |
| Biology | $61,072 | D |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | $60,092 | B |
| Teacher Education | $53,495 | C |
| Electrical Engineering | $87,944 | B |
| Civil Engineering | $80,173 | B |
| Marketing | $66,773 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
Health Services/Allied Health Sciences (44 graduates) earns an A grade: $115,095 at year four with $19,500 median debt and a ratio of 0.169. Scorecard does not report year-one earnings for this cohort. The year-four figure of $115k is the highest in the school's program data and reflects healthcare practitioners at a career-experienced level. This program likely feeds into pharmacy, physician assistant, or advanced nursing roles. The low debt ratio (0.169) combined with high four-year earnings makes this the strongest ROI case in the Valparaiso program roster.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing (119 graduates) earns a B grade: $73,747 year-one and $81,278 year-four with $27,366 median debt and a ratio of 0.371. Indiana nursing wages are competitive for the Midwest, and Valparaiso graduates access the northwest Indiana and Chicago healthcare labor markets. The four-year trajectory to $81k reflects career advancement in a field where experience drives salary consistently.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering (28 graduates) earns a B grade: $68,265 year-one and $90,583 year-four with $27,000 median debt and a ratio of 0.396. Mechanical engineering at Valparaiso serves the manufacturing and industrial sector in northwest Indiana, which includes automotive suppliers, steel mills, and heavy industry. The year-four trajectory to $91k is consistent with experienced engineering roles in this sector.
Psychology
Psychology (38 graduates) earns a D grade: $31,057 year-one and $58,104 year-four with $27,000 median debt and a ratio of 0.869. Year-one earnings of $31k against $27k in debt creates financial strain in the first years after graduation. The four-year jump to $58k is substantial and likely reflects graduate program completions entering the workforce. Students choosing psychology at Valparaiso should plan for graduate training and the associated additional costs.
Biology
Biology (26 graduates) earns a D grade: $30,672 year-one and $61,072 year-four with $27,000 median debt and a ratio of 0.880. The year-one figure reflects students in graduate or professional school, not the eventual career earnings; the four-year jump to $61k captures some professional school completions. Valparaiso biology graduates primarily pursue medical, dental, or graduate research programs. Borrowers should understand that debt servicing on $27k of loans on a $31k salary is financially tight.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 79.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 83.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 78.3% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 81.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 89.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 520-640 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 540-640 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 23-31 |
| Enrollment | 2,083 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 27.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,127 |
At 89.4% admission, Valparaiso accepts nearly all applicants. The wide ACT range (23-31) reflects different program entry standards: engineering programs likely draw higher-scoring applicants than education or communication programs. The high admission rate combined with a 70.4% completion rate suggests the attrition happens after enrollment rather than at the gate. Students should ask about program-specific retention rates.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Scorecard peers include Anderson University (IN), Bethel University (IN), and Wheaton College -- Indiana and Midwest private universities with similar enrollment sizes and faith-affiliated missions. Valparaiso's 72 ROI score is above the Indiana private university average, driven primarily by the strong nursing and health sciences outcomes and the Chicago labor market premium. Wheaton College shows stronger earnings outcomes due to a more selective profile; Anderson and Bethel are closer comparators at Valparaiso's admission selectivity level.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valparaiso University (this school) | 72 | $18,578 | $63,191 |
| Bethel University | 71 | $28,556 | $63,764 |
| Wheaton College | 70 | $26,975 | $63,756 |
| Saint Peter's University | 68 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| Bethel University | 34 | $18,610 | $48,860 |
| Anderson University | 32 | $25,021 | $48,899 |
Who Thrives Here
Valparaiso University admits 89.4% of applicants and enrolls 2,083 students. SAT mid-ranges are 520-640 Math and 540-640 Reading; ACT composite 23-31, with a wide range indicating diverse program entry standards. Pell grant rate of 27.3% reflects a middle-income-oriented student body. Valparaiso has a Lutheran identity and a professional program mix anchored in nursing, engineering, and business. The school's northwest Indiana location connects graduates to Chicago's labor market, which is the primary driver of the 37.9% earnings premium over comparable non-attendees.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Valparaiso University offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $18,578 per year leads to $74,312 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $63,191 a decade out. The payback period of 7.6 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 70.4% graduation rate, high loan repayment success. However, the data also shows high debt relative to what graduates earn.
Median debt of $26,942 against $63,191 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.