Valpo vs. PLU

Should I go to Valparaiso University or Pacific Lutheran University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Valpo or PLU 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

SPU Bradley Butler Purdue Trine University UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University DePauw Lewis University UE IU
Valparaiso University vs. Pacific Lutheran University comparison
Valparaiso University Pacific Lutheran University College 3 College 4
Valparaiso University Pacific Lutheran University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Valpo PLU
Location Valparaiso, IN Tacoma, WA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,958 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #313 #311
Religious Affiliation Lutheran Church in America Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website valpo.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Valpo PLU
Tuition (In State) $43,400 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $43,400 $49,472
Room & Board $13,180 $11,826
Avg Net Price $22,755 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $34,706 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Valpo PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,842 3,334
Admitted 6,442 2,964
Acceptance Rate 94.2% 88.9%
Enrolled % 9.4% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.76 3.71
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 27/30 27/30
SAT Range 1140/1360 1253/1423
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, 2024

Academics

Valpo PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Engineering (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Valpo PLU
Graduation Rate 71% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,000 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $279 $266

Diversity

Valpo PLU
% Men 45% 36%
% Women 55% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 72% 68%
% Black 6% 3%
% Hispanic 8% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 7%
% International 7% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Valpo PLU
% In-State 48% 74%
% Out-of-State 49% 22%

Campus

Valpo PLU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Valparaiso University is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (2,958 students vs. 2,633 students)

Valpo vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Valpo or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 14% more expensive to attend than Valpo for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $43,400.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14% higher at PLU than Valparaiso University ($49,472.00 vs. $43,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Valparaiso University than PLU ($22,755 vs. $24,825)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 11.4% lower than costs at Valparaiso University ($11,826 vs. $13,180)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Valparaiso University than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 5% larger than aid received Valparaiso University ($36,435 vs. $34,706)

Valpo vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Valpo or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Valpo .

  • The average SAT score at Valparaiso University (1159) is 42 points higher than at PLU (1117)
  • Incoming Valpo students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at PLU (25)
  • Accepted freshman Valpo students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at PLU (3.71)
  • Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (94.2%) than PLU (88.9%)

Valpo vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Valpo or PLU? 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 PLU and Valpo.

  • The graduation rate at Valpo is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (71% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Valparaiso University earn on average $1,700 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($54,000 vs. $52,300)
  • Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $1,200 lower median federal student loan debt than Valpo graduates. ($25,800 vs. $27,000)
  • PLU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Valpo graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
  • More Valpo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/