Valpo vs. Carthage

Comparable Facts

Compare Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN with Carthage College in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carthage College is larger than Valpo based on total student enrollment (2,844 students vs. 2,579 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Valparaiso University is located in Valparaiso, IN (Large Suburban setting); Carthage College is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Valparaiso University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carthage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Valparaiso University 10:1; Carthage College 14:1.

Valpo vs. Carthage Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Valpo or Carthage? 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 Carthage ($21,766 vs. $27,066).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carthage College are 1.2% lower than at Valparaiso University ($13,450 vs. $13,618).
• Valparaiso University is 25% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carthage (about $9,700 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $38,750.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25% higher at Valpo than at Carthage College (about $9,700 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $38,750.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Valparaiso University as at Carthage College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 57.9% larger than aid received by Carthage College students ($37,548 vs. $23,784).

Valpo vs. Carthage Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Valparaiso University (1170) is 70 points higher than at Carthage (1100).
• Incoming Valpo students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at Carthage).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 1060/1280; Carthage College 1000/1205.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 23/31; Carthage College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Valpo - Test optional; Carthage - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Valpo students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Carthage (3.36).
• Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (89.4%) than Carthage (87.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Valpo vs. 11.3% at Carthage.

Valpo vs. Carthage Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Valpo and Carthage? 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 Carthage College's (59%).
• Graduates from Valparaiso University earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Carthage graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $48,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carthage College and Valpo graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Carthage College and Valpo graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Valpo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Carthage 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.