In the U.S. News and World Report 2027 Best Colleges Rankings released today, Valparaiso University achieved several top 10 rankings within the Regional Universities (Midwest) category:
- #2 in Best Value
- #6 in Overall
- #6 in Top Private Schools
- #8 in Undergraduate Teaching
“These recognitions affirm the enduring value of a Valpo education, one grounded in scholarship, freedom, and faith that builds lives for good by preparing students not only for their careers, but for a lifetime of learning and service to their communities,,” said Eric Johnson ’87, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.
Ranking in the top ten in value and overall quality is a testament to the benefit of a Valparaiso University education to both the students receiving degrees, and to the communities that its graduates ultimately serve and lead within. According to the latest data, the University has a 98.1% graduate outcomes rate across colleges, meaning that those students were employed or enrolled in graduate school within nine months of graduation.
The College of Nursing and Health Profession’s bachelor of science in nursing programs leapt from number 160 on the national ranking in 2026 to number 94 in 2027. This recognition comes as the state of Indiana faces significant staffing challenges in the field of healthcare. According to the Indiana Capital Chronicle, 40% of nurses statewide are approaching retirement age, with over half of all Indiana counties facing primary care shortages. By producing future healthcare leaders in a quality program, Valpo is actively meeting the needs of the community.
Other Colleges within Valparaiso University also received recognition for their quality and outcomes on the national level. Undergraduate programs in business sit in the top 200, while undergraduate programs in the College of Engineering are ranked in the top 30.
The publication evaluated universities based on many factors, including graduation rate, financial resources, student-faculty ratio, and peer assessment. Valparaiso University’s complete U.S. News rankings and profile is available here.
