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Kentucky Bradley University of Toledo Butler Purdue Trine University Eastern Murray State University WKU DePauw Lewis University Xavier| Valparaiso University | Northern Kentucky University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Valpo | NKU | ||
| Location | Valparaiso, IN | Highland Heights, KY | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 2,958 | 15,801 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #313 | #805 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Lutheran Church in America | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | valpo.edu | nku.edu | ||
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Costs |
Valpo | NKU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $43,400 | $10,208 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $43,400 | $20,464 | ||
| Room & Board | $13,180 | $11,248 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $22,755 | $7,259 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $34,706 | $11,275 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 100% |
Admission |
Valpo | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,842 | 6,905 | ||
| Admitted | 6,442 | 5,939 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 94.2% | 86% | ||
| Enrolled % | 9.4% | 27.6% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.76 | 3.42 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Difficult | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 27/30 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 1140/1360 | 1030/1290 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 15, 2025 |
Academics |
Valpo | NKU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Valpo | NKU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 71% | 37% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $54,000 | $39,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 77% | 53% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $24,950 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $257 |
Diversity |
Valpo | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 45% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 55% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 72% | 82% | ||
| % Black | 6% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 8% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 2% | ||
| % International | 7% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 1% |
Students |
Valpo | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 48% | 66% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 49% | 26% | ||
Campus |
Valpo | NKU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Valpo based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 2,958 students)
Valpo vs. NKU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Valpo or NKU?
- Valparaiso University is 325.2% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($43,400.00 vs. $10,208.00)
- Out of state tuition is 112.1% higher at Valpo than Northern Kentucky University ($43,400.00 vs. $20,464.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Valpo ($7,259 vs. $22,755)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 17.2% lower than costs at Valparaiso University ($11,248 vs. $13,180)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Valparaiso University as Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 100%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 207.8% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($34,706 vs. $11,275)
Valpo vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Valpo or NKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NKU or Valpo .
- The average SAT score at Valparaiso University (1159) is 91 points higher than at NKU (1068)
- Incoming Valpo students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at NKU (23)
- Accepted freshman Valpo students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at NKU (3.42)
- Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (94.2%) than NKU (86%)
Valpo vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Valpo or NKU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NKU and Valpo.
- The graduation rate at Valpo is higher than Northern Kentucky University (71% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from Valparaiso University earn on average $14,300 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($54,000 vs. $39,700)
- Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Valpo graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
- NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Valpo graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
- More Valpo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 53%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/