Valparaiso University
Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Valparaiso University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 43% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 83rd percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (IN wage index 0.87). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Valparaiso University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | — | $115,095 | +88% | #2 of 156 | #2 | $19,500 |
| Computer Engineering | $75,484 | $96,079 | -12% | #144 of 189 | #122 | $27,000 |
| Computer Science | $59,863 | $94,111 | -12% | #211 of 349 | #165 | $25,125 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $68,265 | $90,583 | -2% | #173 of 318 | #97 | $27,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $73,662 | $87,944 | -13% | #246 of 258 | #203 | $27,000 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $67,129 | $86,317 | +0% | #58 of 126 | #45 | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $73,747 | $81,278 | -9% | #677 of 966 | #516 | $25,250 |
| Civil Engineering | $69,549 | $80,173 | -7% | #192 of 233 | #126 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,100 | $78,163 | +15% | #177 of 1176 | #95 | $25,350 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $55,399 | $73,880 | -11% | #278 of 452 | #223 | $26,613 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $57,766 | $71,848 | -6% | #435 of 796 | #349 | $26,000 |
| Marketing | $44,742 | $66,773 | -4% | #254 of 516 | #181 | $27,000 |
| Criminology | $30,653 | $63,772 | +15% | #14 of 113 | #5 | $27,000 |
| Chemistry | $37,526 | $62,245 | -4% | #143 of 209 | #101 | $27,000 |
| Mathematics | — | $61,564 | -11% | #243 of 309 | #190 | — |
| Biology | $30,672 | $61,072 | +7% | #303 of 841 | #181 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $35,931 | $60,612 | +14% | #82 of 476 | #45 | — |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | — | $60,092 | -1% | #9 of 16 | #7 | $27,000 |
| Psychology | $31,057 | $58,104 | +15% | #137 of 1027 | #62 | $26,885 |
| Social Work | — | $57,609 | +11% | #83 of 420 | #22 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $32,893 | $56,054 | -11% | #417 of 565 | #301 | $27,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | — | $55,485 | -6% | #172 of 275 | #144 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $46,750 | $54,933 | +7% | #87 of 345 | #47 | $26,755 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $45,123 | $53,495 | +13% | #134 of 680 | #55 | $26,437 |
| English Language and Literature | $23,909 | $52,439 | +8% | #186 of 576 | #81 | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $31,752 | $50,588 | -8% | #175 of 225 | #134 | $26,900 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $35,164 | $50,325 | -11% | #439 of 660 | #342 | $27,000 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $44,937 | $47,644 | -13% | #482 of 610 | #411 | $26,348 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The Valparaiso University Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $351,407
- Avg rent near campus: $1,339/mo — vs ~$911/mo campus room rate
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 46393 (4.5% cap, Valparaiso)
Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.
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Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $45,136 | $45,136 |
| Room | $8,198 | |
| Board | $5,190 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $62,714 | $62,714 |
Financial Aid
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Valparaiso University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Valparaiso University?
How much does it cost to attend Valparaiso University?
What is the graduation rate at Valparaiso University?
Is Valparaiso University a good school?
- Outcomes (B+): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Valparaiso University?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Valparaiso University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
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Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology