Valpo vs. Carroll College

Comparable Facts

Compare Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN with Carroll College in Helena, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Valparaiso University is larger than Carroll College based on total student enrollment (2,579 students vs. 1,156 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Valparaiso University is located in Valparaiso, IN (Large Suburban setting); Carroll College is in Helena, MT (Remote Town setting).
• Valparaiso University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carroll College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Valparaiso University 10:1; Carroll College 12:1.

Valpo vs. Carroll College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Valpo or Carroll College? 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 Carroll College ($21,766 vs. $25,575).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carroll College are 15.2% lower than at Valparaiso University ($11,548 vs. $13,618).
• Valparaiso University is 16.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carroll College (about $6,966 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $41,484.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.8% higher at Valpo than at Carroll College (about $6,966 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $41,484.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Valparaiso University as at Carroll College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 24.9% larger than aid received by Carroll College students ($37,548 vs. $30,058).

Valpo vs. Carroll College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Valpo or Carroll College? 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 Carroll College and Valpo.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carroll College (1180) is 10 points higher than at Valpo (1170).
• Incoming Valpo students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Carroll College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 1060/1280; Carroll College 1050/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 23/31; Carroll College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Valpo - Test optional; Carroll College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carroll College Feb 28, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Valpo students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Carroll College (3.64).
• Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (89.4%) than Carroll College (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Valpo vs. 21.6% at Carroll College.

Valpo vs. Carroll College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Valpo and Carroll College? 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 Carroll College's (59%).
• Graduates from Valparaiso University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than Carroll College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carroll College and Valpo graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Carroll College and Valpo graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Carroll College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Valpo students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.