Valpo vs. Oakland

Comparable Facts

Compare Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN with Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oakland University is larger than Valpo based on total student enrollment (15,768 students vs. 2,579 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Valparaiso University is located in Valparaiso, IN (Large Suburban setting); Oakland University is in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Valparaiso University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oakland University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Valparaiso University 10:1; Oakland University 17:1.

Valpo vs. Oakland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Valpo or Oakland? 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 Oakland University than Valpo ($12,208 vs. $21,766).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 19.7% lower than at Valparaiso University ($10,932 vs. $13,618).
• Valparaiso University is 217.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oakland (about $33,188 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $15,262.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.9% higher at Valpo than at Oakland University (about $25,262 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $23,188.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Valparaiso University than at Oakland University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 189.1% larger than aid received by Oakland University students ($37,548 vs. $12,988).

Valpo vs. Oakland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Valparaiso University (1170) is 40 points higher than at Oakland (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 1060/1280; Oakland University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 23/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Valpo - Test optional; Oakland - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Valpo students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Oakland (3.51).
• Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (89.4%) than Oakland (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Valpo vs. 14.7% at Oakland.

Valpo vs. Oakland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Valpo and Oakland? 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 Oakland University's (40%).
• Graduates from Valparaiso University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Oakland graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $46,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oakland University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Valpo graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Oakland graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Valpo graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Valpo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakland students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 51%)

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.