Valpo vs. Hope College

Comparable Facts

Compare Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN with Hope College in Holland, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Hope College is larger than Valpo based on total student enrollment (3,395 students vs. 2,579 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Valparaiso University is located in Valparaiso, IN (Large Suburban setting); Hope College is in Holland, MI (Small City setting).
• Valparaiso University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hope College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Valparaiso University 10:1; Hope College 9:1.

Valpo vs. Hope College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Valpo or Hope 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 Hope College ($21,766 vs. $30,700).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hope College are 4.9% lower than at Valparaiso University ($12,950 vs. $13,618).
• Valparaiso University is 15.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hope College (about $6,480 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $41,970.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.4% higher at Valpo than at Hope College (about $6,480 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $41,970.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Valparaiso University than at Hope College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 50.5% larger than aid received by Hope College students ($37,548 vs. $24,945).

Valpo vs. Hope College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hope College (1220) is 50 points higher than at Valpo (1170).
• Incoming Hope 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: Valparaiso University 1060/1280; Hope College 1100/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 23/31; Hope College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Valpo - Test optional; Hope College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Hope 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 Hope College (79.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Valpo vs. 20.1% at Hope College.

Valpo vs. Hope College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Valpo and Hope 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).

• Hope College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Valparaiso University's (71%).
• Graduates from Valparaiso University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than Hope College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hope College and Valpo graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Hope College and Valpo graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Hope College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Valpo students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.