Valpo vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

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

Valparaiso University is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (2,579 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Valparaiso University is located in Valparaiso, IN (Large Suburban setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• Valparaiso University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Valparaiso University 10:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

Valpo vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Valpo or SAU? 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 Spring Arbor University than Valpo ($21,067 vs. $21,766).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 16% lower than at Valparaiso University ($11,440 vs. $13,618).
• Valparaiso University is 42.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SAU (about $14,436 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.4% higher at Valpo than at Spring Arbor University (about $14,436 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Valparaiso University as at Spring Arbor University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 57.3% larger than aid received by Spring Arbor University students ($37,548 vs. $23,877).

Valpo vs. SAU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Valparaiso University (1170) is 40 points higher than at SAU (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 1060/1280; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 23/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Valpo - Test optional; SAU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Valpo students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at SAU (3.61).
• Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (89.4%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Valpo vs. 16.5% at SAU.

Valpo vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Valpo and SAU? 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 Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Valparaiso University earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $2,957 lower median loan debt than Valpo graduates ($24,043 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Valpo graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Valpo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU 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.