Valpo vs. Louisville

Comparable Facts

Compare Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN with University of Louisville in Louisville, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Louisville is larger than Valpo based on total student enrollment (23,065 students vs. 2,579 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Valparaiso University is located in Valparaiso, IN (Large Suburban setting); University of Louisville is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• Valparaiso University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Valparaiso University 10:1; University of Louisville 14:1.

Valpo vs. Louisville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Valpo or Louisville? 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 University of Louisville than Valpo ($19,785 vs. $21,766).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 7.7% lower than at Valparaiso University ($12,576 vs. $13,618).
• Valparaiso University is 268.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $35,314 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.3% higher at Valpo than at University of Louisville (about $18,968 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Valparaiso University than at University of Louisville (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 155.8% larger than aid received by University of Louisville students ($37,548 vs. $14,677).

Valpo vs. Louisville Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Valparaiso University (1170) is 10 points higher than at Louisville (1160).
• Incoming Valpo students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Louisville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 1060/1280; University of Louisville 1040/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 23/31; University of Louisville 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Valpo - Test optional; Louisville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Valpo students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Louisville (3.64).
• Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (89.4%) than Louisville (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Valpo vs. 25.1% at Louisville.

Valpo vs. Louisville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Valpo and Louisville? 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 University of Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from Valparaiso University earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than Louisville graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $7,344 lower median loan debt than Valpo graduates ($19,656 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Valpo graduates ($203 vs. $279).
• More Valpo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 58%)

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.