Close-Knit, Coed Lutheran Education at Valparaiso
Valparaiso University appears in our ranking of the 50 Great Affordable Colleges in the Midwest.
Ranked 261st nationally by The Wall Street Journal, Valparaiso University is a private, nonprofit Christian CIC member in Northwest Indiana that offers 94 undergrad, 28 master’s, and two doctoral degrees plus the College Experience Honors Program for high schoolers at an 11:1 student-teacher ratio. For example, the B.S. in Psychology builds a 124-credit, four-year curriculum where Crusaders can perform Child & Family Study Center research, join Psi Chi, volunteer with Mental Health America, and exchange to the Universidad de Zaragoza. Chaired by Dr. Ann Raich, the B.S. in Environmental Engineering has a 124-credit, ABET-accredited plan with Markiewicz Solar Energy Research Center projects, internships like BNSF Railway, Earthtones events, and Habitat for Humanity service.
Online on Blackboard Learn 9.1, the College of Engineering delivers a 36-credit, 18-month M.S. in Cyber Security that blends 500-level Web courses like Linux Administration with hands-on Virtualization Facility practice and 300 supervised internship hours for in-demand CISSP certification. Directed by Dr. Julie Koch, the Doctor of Nursing Practice follows a 70-credit, CCNE-accredited hybrid path with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialization for post-bachelor’s RNs to acquire 1,000 clinical practice hours at Porter Regional Hospital, Franciscan Health Crown Point, and others. Additional Valpo options include the B.S. in Data Science, B.A. in Modern European Studies, B.S. in Astronomy, B.A. in Music, M.A. in Chinese Studies, M.Ed. in Primary Education, and M.S. in Sports Media.
About Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University originated on September 21, 1859, when the Methodist Church welcomed an inaugural class of 75 to the Valparaiso Male and Female College for $8 per semester. In 1871, Valparaiso was closed after insurmountable losses from the Civil War. Two years later, Henry Baker Brown revived it as the Northern Indiana Normal School. In 1879, it launched post-graduate studies with the Northern Indiana Law School. In 1900, the so-called “Poor Man’s Harvard” became Valparaiso College again. In 1905, a partnership was formed with the Chicago College of Dental Surgery. In 1925, the struggling Valparaiso College was acquired by the Lutheran University Association. First accredited in November 1929, Valparaiso launched its College of Engineering in 1938. On September 27, 1959, Valpo’s Chapel of the Resurrection was opened as the second-largest globally. In 1967, Valparaiso University began its Christ Honors College. By 2002, Valpo had its first overseas center in Hangzhou.
Endowed for $250.4 million, Valparaiso University now employs 310 full-time faculty teaching 3,220 undergrad and 588 post-grad Crusaders from 38 countries online or on its 350-acre Porter County campus near Ivy Tech with 100+ clubs like Voices for Animals. In 2019, Valparaiso had the ASEE National Outstanding Teaching Medal recipient. In 2015, Valpo earned a National Science Foundation Award for Major Research Instrumentation. Valparaiso University won the 2008 NAFSA Simon Award for Campus Internationalization too. The U.S. News & World Report named Valparaiso 76th for undergrad teaching, 109th for veteran services, and 254th for social mobility. Forbes picked Valpo for the 275th top private institution. On Niche, Valpo boasts America’s 50th best Christian education, 97th top nursing degrees, and 156th best engineering programs. WalletHub crowned Valparaiso University the 340th top value with the 176th best career outcomes. PayScale noticed Valpo for Indiana’s highest mid-career pay of $98,000.
Valparaiso University Accreditation Details
On February 20, 2018, the Higher Learning Commission on North Central Association (HLC-NCA) Institutional Actions Council sent a formal notification to Valparaiso University that reaffirmed the Level V accreditation through 2027-28 under the 19th president, Dr. Mark Heckler, who received an Association for Theatre in Higher Education Award. Located 54 miles northwest via Interstate 90 in Chicago, this mega 19-state Midwest Region accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Education Department and Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE). The Institutional Effectiveness Office also lists the following current approvals:
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- National Association of Schools of Music
- Council on Social Work Education Office of Accreditation
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
- American Bar Association Section of Legal Education
Valparaiso University Application Requirements
Admission at Valparaiso University is classified as “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because 6,307 of the 7,062 Fall 2018 applicants were triumphant for 89 percent acceptance. First-year Crusaders must verify secondary diploma or GED completion. The College Experience Honors Program only admits Indiana high school juniors and seniors completing the Core 40 curriculum. On average, freshmen present a 3.72 cumulative GPA. Undergrads achieve median SAT scores of 1060-1270 or ACT scores of 23-29. Current postsecondary students can transfer up to 94 credits graded C- or better from accredited colleges. International entrants need a minimum 6.0 IELTS, 75 TOEFL iBT, or 56 PTE score. The Graduate School seeks four-year bachelor’s study with overall GPAs above 3.0. Doctor of Occupational Therapy cohorts need 3.25 master’s GPAs and one year of full-time work experience. The M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies demands four laboratory science prerequisites and 3.3 GPAs. Master of Business Administration students also report an average 620 GMAT score.
Valparaiso University has a non-binding Early Action process from September 1st to November 1st. Undergrads can apply through August 15th for Fall or December 15th for Spring starts. The College Experience Honors Program has August 12th, January 2nd, and May 11th deadlines. Graduate School cohorts typically apply on an ongoing rolling basis. However, the Doctor of Nursing Practice closes on April 15th. M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling entrants must file by February 15th. The M.Ed. Initial Licensure Option welcomes students until March 1st, August 1st, and November 1st. Prospective Crusaders complete the Valpo or Common Application online for $30 ($50 if international). Official transcripts are mailed to 1700 Chapel Drive in Valparaiso, IN 46383. Testing results are forwarded via SAT/GRE code 1874 or ACT code 1256. Contact (219) 464-5011 or [email protected] to learn other program-specific requirements.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, Valparaiso University is charging full-time undergrads $40,520 annually. Bachelor’s majors cover the $1,300 general fee each year. Studying part-time incurs $1,785 per credit. Overload credits above 19 cost $1,688 apiece. The RN-BSN Program is uniquely priced at $530 per credit. Living at the Porter County campus’ dorms like Lankenau Hall adds $7,580 for standard rooms. Meal plans for Center Market are $4,680 extra yearly. Valpo budgets $1,200 for books and $1,620 for miscellaneous. Annual undergrad attendance equals about $56,900 on-site or $48,140 at home. The Graduate School usually bills $650 per credit. Nursing courses cost $715 per credit. Full-Time MBA cohorts spend $833 per credit. M.A./M.Ed. in Humane Education tuition is $555 per credit. Law School enrollment requires $40,600 every year.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Student Financial Services Office in Kretzmann Hall Room 101 connects 82 percent of full-time Valpo Crusaders to average tuition aid of $27,132 apiece for $84.37 million combined. Institutional funds include the Edith Lessor Memorial Scholarship, C.V. Starr Chinese & Japanese Studies Scholarship, Carol Petersen Scholarship, Eta Sigma Phi Scholarship, Patterson McLean Friedrich French Scholarship, Ed Voelz Endowed Scholarship, Martin Luther Scholarship, Ament-Brenner Scholarship, Shirley Ayers Jud Memorial Scholarship, and Lily Community Foundation Scholarship. The Board of Directors Scholarship gifts $30,000 annually to freshmen with the highest SAT/ACT scores. The $4,000 Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship has a December 15th deadline for transfers achieving a minimum 3.5 GPA. Federal programs, such as the Pell Grant or Teach Grant, require FAFSA applications coded 001842. Indianans could also pursue the Adult Student Grant, 21st Century Scholars Award, Frank O’Bannon Grant, Horatio Alger Scholarship, Mitch Daniels Scholarship, and more.
Search six student-centered schools for 120+ value-added Christian degrees placed 173rd overall by Washington Monthly at the Valparaiso University website.