Valparaiso, IN · Private University
Is Valparaiso University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$63,191
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$46,588
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$46,588
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$186,352
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.36x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
67.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$26,942
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$21,583
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Valparaiso University graduates earn $18,191 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Valparaiso University ranked by graduate earnings
35 graduates
34 graduates
74 graduates
32 graduates
32 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Valparaiso University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Valparaiso University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering: $83,272) and the lowest (Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities: $35,931) is $47,341/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringBest ROI | $83,272 | 1.8x |
| Computer Engineering(1yr data) | $75,484 | 1.6x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $72,788 | 1.6x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $72,406 | 1.6x |
| Civil Engineering | $71,094 | 1.5x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $68,586 | 1.5x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods(1yr data) | $67,129 | 1.4x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $59,863 | 1.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $59,314 | 1.3x |
| Chemistry | $58,900 | 1.3x |
| Political Science and Government | $58,168 | 1.3x |
| Accounting and Related Services(1yr data) | $57,766 | 1.2x |
| Marketing | $56,549 | 1.2x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $52,086 | 1.1x |
| Biology, General | $50,744 | 1.1x |
| Criminology | $47,268 | 1.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas(1yr data) | $46,750 | 1.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $44,455 | 0.9x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $43,856 | 0.9x |
| Psychology, General | $41,931 | 0.9x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $41,366 | 0.9x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $39,852 | 0.9x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesLowest(1yr data) | $35,931 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Valparaiso University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $63,191 10 years after starting, $18,191 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.6 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.