North Central College vs. Valpo

Should I go to North Central College or Valparaiso University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if North Central College or Valpo is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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North Central College vs. Valparaiso University comparison
North Central College Valparaiso University College 3 College 4
North Central College Valparaiso University
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Overview

North Central College Valpo
Location Naperville, IL Valparaiso, IN
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,856 2,846
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #349 #363
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Lutheran Church in America - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website northcentralcollege.edu valpo.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

North Central College Valpo
Tuition (In State) $44,114 $45,136
Tuition (Out of State) $44,114 $45,136
Room & Board $12,434 $13,306
Avg Net Price $24,190 $23,168
Avg Grant Aid $30,619 $34,326
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

North Central College Valpo
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,241 6,133
Admitted 3,056 5,656
Acceptance Rate 58.3% 92.2%
Enrolled % 16.9% 10.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 3.76
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/27 25/30
SAT Range 1065/1280 1080/1310
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 15, 2026

Academics

North Central College Valpo
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Engineering (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Education (5%)

Outcomes

North Central College Valpo
Graduation Rate 64% 71%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $54,000
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

North Central College Valpo
% Men 4% 10%
% Women 12% 11%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 71% 72%
% Black 4% 6%
% Hispanic 11% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 7%
% Unknown Race 7% 2%

Students

North Central College Valpo
% In-State 79% 55%
% Out-of-State 18% 43%

Campus

North Central College Valpo
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • North Central College is larger than than Valpo based on total student enrollment (2,856 students vs. 2,846 students)

North Central College vs. Valpo Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Central College or Valpo?

  • Valparaiso University is 2.3% more expensive to attend than North Central College for in-state tuition ($45,136.00 vs. $44,114.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.3% higher at Valpo than North Central College ($45,136.00 vs. $44,114.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Valparaiso University than North Central College ($23,168 vs. $24,190)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Central College are 7% lower than costs at Valparaiso University ($12,434 vs. $13,306)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at North Central College than Valparaiso University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 12.1% larger than aid received North Central College ($34,326 vs. $30,619)

North Central College vs. Valpo Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, North Central College or Valpo? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Valpo or North Central College .

  • The average SAT score at Valparaiso University (1159) is 34 points higher than at North Central College (1125)
  • Incoming Valpo students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at North Central College (25)
  • Accepted freshman Valpo students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at North Central College (3.6)
  • Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (92.2%) than North Central College (58.3%)

North Central College vs. Valpo Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, North Central College or Valpo? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Valpo and North Central College.

  • The graduation rate at Valpo is higher than North Central College (71% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from Valparaiso University earn on average $5,100 more per year than North Central College graduates after ten years. ($54,000 vs. $48,900)
  • North Central College students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Valpo graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • North Central College graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Valpo graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Valpo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Central College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/