Frequently Asked Questions
Location
Where is Valpo located?
Valpo is in Valparaiso, Indiana - a thriving town of about 31,000 people. We are located in northwest Indiana, about one hour southeast of Chicago, two and one-half hours north of Indianapolis, and 15 minutes south of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
Admission
What do you consider in the admission review process?
We look at things like your strength of schedule, the trend in your grades, your essay, what kind of activities you are involved in, and your test scores. We do ask that all of our students come in with (by the end of their senior year) 4 years of English, 3 years of Math (through Advanced Algebra), 3 years of Science, 3 years of Social Studies, and 2 years of Foreign Language.
The biggest question is: "Can this person be successful at Valpo?" That person comes in a wide variety of GPAs, test scores (we strongly recommend the writing portion of the ACT), essays, and extra-curricular involvements.
Are high school honors courses weighted in the GPA?
Honors courses are taken into serious consideration in terms of admission. The strength of your schedule plays a big part in whether or not you are admitted. When it comes to the actual awarding of scholarships, because we have so many students from such a wide variety of schools with a wide variety of course offerings, we try to put everyone on the same scale and use an unweighted 4.0 scale utilizing your academic classes (i.e. English, Math, Science, Social Studies, & Foreign Language). Keep in mind that any challenging coursework you're able to take while in high school will most certainly prepare you better for collegiate work. The same applies for AP and IB courses.
Can I transfer any credits I've earned elsewhere or through AP testing?
Valpo does accept transfer credits. The general "rule of thumb" is that as long as you took the classes at an accredited school; they were an English, Math, Science, Social Studies, or Foreign Language type course of at least the 100-level; and you received a "C" or better, they will typically transfer. We also accept AP tests.. We would just need a copy of your official score report sent to us. We do require different scores for different tests, but typically a score of 4 for credit. Contact your admission counselor for the specific scores needed.
What is the average incoming freshman GPA?
The average admitted student typically comes in with a 3.0+ GPA. This is based upon an unweighted 4.0 scale.
What is the average SAT and ACT for admitted students?
For ACT, our mid-range is 22-28. For SAT, if you add your Critical Reading + Math scores, our mid-range is 1030-1260.
When will I receive a decision regarding my application?
If you have a complete application by November 1, your file will be reviewed by early December. You will be notified shortly thereafter. We do accept applications at any time on a rolling basis, however. Typically, after your application is complete, you will find out your status about 4-6 weeks later.
Financial Aid
How much does it cost to attend Valpo?
If you add up tuition, room, board, and the general fee, the bottom line number is $32,350. Keep in mind that about 92% of our students receive some type of aid and last year, the average student received about $18,000. We offer a wide variety of scholarship, grant, loan, and financing opportunities to make the Valpo education affordable for you.
What are the types of financial aid?
All of our admitted students are considered for our academic merit-based scholarships. Those are just based upon your best composite test score (ACT or SAT) and your Academic GPA (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language). Initially, those scholarships range anywhere from $6,000-$13,000 with opportunities above and beyond that for our exceptional fit students. We also offer several Departmental Scholarships as well as scholarship opportunities based upon certain characteristics of you.
After you file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), we will consider you for possible grants, loans, and work study. Grants — you don't have to pay back. Loans — you do, but they are probably going to be the lowest interest rates with the best re-payment options that you'll ever get!
What types of scholarships are available?
All of our admitted students automatically have their files reviewed for our merit-based scholarships. Initially, they range anywhere from $6,000-$13,000 with opportunities above and beyond for our exceptional fit students. We also have departmental, talent-based, and characteristic-based awards as well. Click here to take a look at all of our awards.
What percentage of students receive financial aid?
Ninety two percent of our students receive some type of aid on campus. Last year, the average financial aid package was about $18,000 per year.
Graduation
Can I graduate in four years?
All of our programs are designed for you to graduate within four years. With careful advising and planning, this is very easy to do! For example, most of our students accomplish this and still study abroad or even pursue a double major. Those interested in law school may be considered for the 3 + 3 program through Valparaiso University School of Law. This allows the student to complete the Bachelor's of Arts and Juris Doctorate degrees within six years (12 semesters), thereby saving one year of law school tuition. Business students can also complete their MBA in just one year!
Majors
Can I major in two areas of study?
Yes, you can double major! Actually, a lot of our students do. Our advisors are really great in working with you to develop the curriculum that suits you best. With careful advising and planning, most of the time you can still graduate within four years.
What are the most popular majors?
With over 70 academic programs of study, we have quite a lot to choose from! Our more popular majors tend to be Communication, Biology, Education, Business, Engineering, and Nursing. Our Pre-Med and Pre-Law programs are also very popular. For a complete listing of our more than 70 areas of study, click below.
Requirements
Are students required to live on campus?
The University housing policy requires all freshman, sophomore, and junior students to live in University-operated residence halls. Senior year, you're most certainly free to live off campus. Something to keep in mind, though — you can be "on campus" and live in a suite style, triple, quad, fraternity house, or apartment for example. Local students may also commute from their parents' home (within 50 miles of campus).
Is chapel service attendance required?
Chapel is not required. There are many religious opportunities in and around campus, but you make the experience that you want. Some of our students go to chapel every day and some choose not to attend - it is entirely up to you.
Are religion courses required?
Sometime during your four years at Valpo, you will be required to take two semester-long theology classes. Those classes can be anything from "Understanding the Bible" to "Understanding Islam" to "Black Theology and Black Church."
Students
What is the size of the undergraduate student body?
We have approximately 3,100 undergraduates and 900 graduate and law students, making a total of nearly 4,000 students.
What is the average class size?
The average class size at Valpo is about 22 students. The "range" you might encounter can be anything from an 80-student Psychology lecture to a class of 3 students in a course for your major.
Where do Valpo students come from?
Approximately 35% of our students come from Indiana and 25% come from Illinois. The rest of the Midwestern states also have strong populations on campus (Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Missouri, and Iowa). We also have "niche" states in New York, California, Colorado, and Texas. We have most states and over 40 countries represented on campus.
What is the percentage of in-state versus out-of-state students?
With most states and over 40 countries represented on campus, 35% of our students come from Indiana and 25% come from Illinois. The Midwestern states are popular on campus (Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa) and we also have some "niche" states in New York, California, Colorado, and Texas.
