IPFW vs. Valpo

Comparable Facts

Compare Purdue University Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, IN with Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Purdue University Fort Wayne is larger than Valpo based on total student enrollment (7,206 students vs. 2,579 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Purdue University Fort Wayne is located in Fort Wayne, IN (Large City setting); Valparaiso University is in Valparaiso, IN (Large Suburban setting).
• Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Valparaiso University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Purdue University Fort Wayne 13:1; Valparaiso University 10:1.

IPFW vs. Valpo Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IPFW 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 Purdue University Fort Wayne than Valpo ($14,735 vs. $21,766).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Fort Wayne are 14.3% lower than at Valparaiso University ($11,669 vs. $13,618).
• Valparaiso University is 408.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than IPFW (about $38,918 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $9,532.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.7% higher at Valpo than at Purdue University Fort Wayne (about $25,563 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $22,887.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Valparaiso University than at Purdue University Fort Wayne (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 426.3% larger than aid received by Purdue University Fort Wayne students ($37,548 vs. $7,135).

IPFW vs. Valpo Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IPFW or Valpo? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Valpo and IPFW.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Valparaiso University (1170) is 70 points higher than at IPFW (1100).
• Incoming Valpo students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 25 at IPFW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Purdue University Fort Wayne 970/1220; Valparaiso University 1060/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Purdue University Fort Wayne 22/29; Valparaiso University 23/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IPFW - Test optional; Valpo - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IPFW Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Valpo students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at IPFW (3.37).
• Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (89.4%) than IPFW (83.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at IPFW vs. 9.6% at Valpo.

IPFW vs. Valpo Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IPFW and Valpo? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Valparaiso University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Purdue University Fort Wayne's (26%).
• Graduates from Valparaiso University earn a median of about $15,400 more per year than IPFW graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Purdue University Fort Wayne graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Valpo graduates ($24,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, IPFW graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Valpo graduates ($253 vs. $279).
• More Valpo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IPFW students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 51%)

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.