C of I vs. Valpo

Comparable Facts

Compare The College of Idaho in Caldwell, ID with Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Valparaiso University is larger than C of I based on total student enrollment (2,579 students vs. 1,090 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of Idaho is located in Caldwell, ID (Small Suburban setting); Valparaiso University is in Valparaiso, IN (Large Suburban setting).
• The College of Idaho is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Valparaiso University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of Idaho 10:1; Valparaiso University 10:1.

C of I vs. Valpo Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, C of I 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 The College of Idaho than Valpo ($21,686 vs. $21,766).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of Idaho are 6.2% lower than at Valparaiso University ($12,773 vs. $13,618).
• Valparaiso University is 28% more expensive for in-state tuition than C of I (about $10,605 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $37,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28% higher at Valpo than at The College of Idaho (about $10,605 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $37,845.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at The College of Idaho as at Valparaiso University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 29% larger than aid received by The College of Idaho students ($37,548 vs. $29,110).

C of I vs. Valpo Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, C of I 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 C of I.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of Idaho (1180) is 10 points higher than at Valpo (1170).
• Incoming C of I students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at Valpo (27).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of Idaho 1070/1280; Valparaiso University 1060/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of Idaho 23/31; Valparaiso University 23/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: C of I - Test optional; Valpo - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: C of I Feb 15, 2027.
• Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (89.4%) than C of I (49.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at C of I vs. 9.6% at Valpo.

C of I vs. Valpo Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for C of I 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 The College of Idaho's (63%).
• Graduates from Valparaiso University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than C of I graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of Idaho graduates have a $1,005 lower median loan debt than Valpo graduates ($25,995 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, C of I graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Valpo graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Valpo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former C of I students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 73%)

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.