Valpo vs. NKU

Should I go to Valparaiso University or Northern Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Valpo or NKU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Valparaiso University vs. Northern Kentucky University comparison
Valparaiso University Northern Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Valparaiso University Northern Kentucky University
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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
Team Colors                    

Costs

Valpo NKU
Tuition (In State) $43,400 $10,208
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
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Engineering (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

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/