SIUE vs. Valpo

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, IL with Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than Valpo based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 2,579 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting); Valparaiso University is in Valparaiso, IN (Large Suburban setting).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Valparaiso University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1; Valparaiso University 10:1.

SIUE vs. Valpo Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SIUE 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 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville than Valpo ($17,115 vs. $21,766).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valparaiso University are 6% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($13,618 vs. $14,490).
• Valparaiso University is 274.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SIUE (about $35,528 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 274.9% higher at Valpo than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $35,528 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Valparaiso University than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 223.6% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students ($37,548 vs. $11,602).

SIUE vs. Valpo Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SIUE 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 SIUE.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Valparaiso University (1170) is 100 points higher than at SIUE (1070).
• Incoming Valpo students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at SIUE).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190; Valparaiso University 1060/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27; Valparaiso University 23/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SIUE - Test optional; Valpo - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Valpo students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at SIUE (3.54).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than Valpo (89.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 9.6% at Valpo.

SIUE vs. Valpo Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SIUE 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 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's (52%).
• Graduates from Valparaiso University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than SIUE graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $47,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $5,570 lower median loan debt than Valpo graduates ($21,430 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Valpo graduates ($221 vs. $279).
• More Valpo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SIUE students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 61%)

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.