Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Valparaiso University #676 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $8,337 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Valparaiso University in the 83.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Valparaiso University #296 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Valparaiso University #676 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 54.2 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Valparaiso, IN, Valparaiso University enrolls roughly 2,083 undergraduates. Retention is 75.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 70.4%, placing the institution among the stronger performers nationally for converting enrollment into degree completion. Where Valparaiso University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Valparaiso University #296 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 80.1 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $69,228, placing Valparaiso University in the 72.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $8,337 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Valparaiso University in the 83.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's concentration in Health fields — a signature strength — helps explain these solid long-term financial outcomes. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Valparaiso University sits in the 28.3 percentile for access and the 45.1 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 27.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 28.8% are first-generation college students, reflecting a moderately mixed enrollment. Mobility outcomes are solid, placing the institution in the 38.5 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions, indicating that graduates move into stable, well-paying careers at rates comparable to peer institutions.
Valparaiso University's published cost of attendance is $58,437. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $11,043, families in the lower-middle income band pay around $12,055, middle-income families pay about $15,279, families in the upper-middle band pay approximately $22,311, and higher-income families pay around $24,780. Azimuth ranks Valparaiso University #783 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Valparaiso University meets demonstrated financial need through need-based aid, with families applying using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The aid structure combines institutional grants, federal aid, and work-study opportunities. Understanding how net price compares with the published sticker price is important — the gap between sticker and net price can be substantial, and at Valparaiso the income-band breakdown above reflects what families typically pay after aid is applied. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,942, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $28,500; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $69,228, median federal debt of $26,942 projects to a monthly payment of about $304 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Valparaiso University is a strong fit for students interested in health professions who want a private university experience in IN's Midwest region. The university's program mix is concentrated in Health, representing 14% of graduates. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $69,228, placing Valparaiso University in the 72.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $8,337 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 83.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations. The university enrolls 27.3% of undergraduates as Pell recipients and 28.8% as first-generation students. Low-income graduates earn at levels placing Valparaiso University in the 72.6 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 89.4% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors health-oriented fields. Students whose interests align with these areas will find strong outcomes relative to IN's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $32,990.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Valparaiso University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Valparaiso University's published cost of attendance is $58,437. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $11,043, families in the lower-middle income band pay around $12,055, middle-income families pay about $15,279, families in the upper-middle band pay approximately $22,311, and higher-income families pay around $24,780.
Azimuth ranks Valparaiso University #783 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Valparaiso University meets demonstrated financial need through need-based aid, with families applying using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The aid structure combines institutional grants, federal aid, and work-study opportunities.
Understanding how net price compares with the published sticker price is important — [the gap between sticker and net price can be substantial](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/), and at Valparaiso the income-band breakdown above reflects what families typically pay after aid is applied. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,942, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $28,500; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $69,228, median federal debt of $26,942 projects to a monthly payment of about $304 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Valparaiso University earn median 4-year earnings of $69,228, placing Valparaiso University in the 72.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Valparaiso University sits in the 83.2 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Valparaiso University #296 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Valparaiso University's concentration in health-related fields.
Nursing is the largest program with 147 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $81,278, performing at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The Mechanical Engineering program graduates 42 students earning $90,583 four years after enrollment, and Psychology, General produces 39 graduates with median earnings of $58,104.
Together, these programs anchor Valparaiso University's outcomes and reflect the university's focus on fields with stable, in-demand career pathways.
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
28 graduates
Computer Engineering
10 graduates
Computer Science
22 graduates
Mechanical Engineering
42 graduates
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
12 graduates
Valparaiso University's program mix is anchored in health professions and applied professional fields. Nursing is the largest program with 147 graduates, followed by Mechanical Engineering, Psychology, General, Biology, General, and Teacher Education.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 696 students annually, the institution's strength concentrates in health-related fields and business disciplines that lead directly into stable, in-demand careers. The highest-earning programs reflect the institution's health-professions focus.
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $115,095 with 28 graduates, while Computer Science delivers median earnings of $94,111 and Mechanical Engineering reaches $90,583. Nursing and Civil Engineering round out the top earnings cluster with $81,278 and $80,173 respectively.
These programs represent direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes in healthcare, nursing, and related applied fields. The program portfolio emphasizes practical preparation for healthcare and business careers in a regional market.
Health represents the institution's primary concentration, positioning Valparaiso as a health-professions-oriented private university. Graduates in these dominant fields enter sectors with strong hiring demand and wage stability, particularly in Indiana and the broader Midwest.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with regional and national labor-market demand.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Scranton Similar quality tier (#16902 ranked) | PA | 81% | $74,652 | #16902 | Compare |
Norwich University Similar quality tier (#16900 ranked) | VT | 74% | $65,575 | #16900 | Compare |
Seattle University Similar quality tier (#16897 ranked) | WA | 77% | $75,272 | #16897 | Compare |
University Of Saint Joseph Similar quality tier (#16942 ranked) | CT | 79% | $59,908 | #16942 | Compare |
Webster University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#16895 ranked) | MO | 86% | $50,876 | #16895 | Compare |
