DUofC vs. Valpo

Comparable Facts

Compare Dominican University of California in San Rafael, CA with Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Valparaiso University is larger than DUofC based on total student enrollment (2,579 students vs. 1,900 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dominican University of California is located in San Rafael, CA (Small City setting); Valparaiso University is in Valparaiso, IN (Large Suburban setting).
• Dominican University of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Valparaiso University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dominican University of California 8:1; Valparaiso University 10:1.

DUofC vs. Valpo Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DUofC or Valpo? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Valparaiso University than DUofC ($21,766 vs. $37,456).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valparaiso University are 15.9% lower than at Dominican University of California ($13,618 vs. $16,191).
• Dominican University of California is 7.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Valpo (about $3,711 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $48,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at DUofC than at Valparaiso University (about $3,711 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $48,450.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University of California as at Valparaiso University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 9.7% larger than aid received by Dominican University of California students ($37,548 vs. $34,224).

DUofC vs. Valpo Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DUofC or Valpo? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Valpo and DUofC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dominican University of California (1260) is 90 points higher than at Valpo (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University of California 1210/1300; Valparaiso University 1060/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsValparaiso University 23/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DUofC - Test optional; Valpo - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Valpo students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at DUofC (3.66).
• Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (89.4%) than DUofC (83.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at DUofC vs. 9.6% at Valpo.

DUofC vs. Valpo Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DUofC and Valpo? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Valparaiso University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Dominican University of California's (56%).
• Graduates from Dominican University of California earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Valpo graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $54,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Valparaiso University and DUofC graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Valparaiso University and DUofC graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Valpo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DUofC students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.