St. Mary's College vs. Valpo

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN with Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Valparaiso University is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (2,579 students vs. 1,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Mary's College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Valparaiso University is in Valparaiso, IN (Large Suburban setting).
• Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Valparaiso University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College 9:1; Valparaiso University 10:1.

St. Mary's College vs. Valpo Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Mary's College 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 St. Mary's College ($21,766 vs. $27,865).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valparaiso University are 4.5% lower than at Saint Mary's College ($13,618 vs. $14,260).
• Saint Mary's College is 9.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Valpo (about $4,780 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $48,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at St. Mary's College than at Valparaiso University (about $4,780 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $48,450.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College as at Valparaiso University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 3.2% larger than aid received by Valparaiso University students ($38,748 vs. $37,548).

St. Mary's College vs. Valpo Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Mary's College 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 St. Mary's College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College (1230) is 60 points higher than at Valpo (1170).
• Incoming St. Mary's College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Valpo).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 1130/1325; Valparaiso University 1060/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 26/30; Valparaiso University 23/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Mary's College - Test optional; Valpo - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Valpo (3.76).
• Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (89.4%) than St. Mary's College (76%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at St. Mary's College vs. 9.6% at Valpo.

St. Mary's College vs. Valpo Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Mary's College 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).

• Saint Mary's College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Valparaiso University's (71%).
• Graduates from Valparaiso University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than St. Mary's College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Valparaiso University and St. Mary's College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Valparaiso University and St. Mary's College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Valpo students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 77%)

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.