Valpo vs. WKU

Should I go to Valparaiso University or Western Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Valpo or WKU 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. 

Eastern Murray State University Kentucky Louisville Bradley UTC Butler Purdue Trine University NKU DePauw University of Southern Indiana
Valparaiso University vs. Western Kentucky University comparison
Valparaiso University Western Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Valparaiso University Western Kentucky University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Valpo WKU
Location Valparaiso, IN Bowling Green, KY
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 2,958 16,493
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #313 #875
Religious Affiliation Lutheran Church in America - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website valpo.edu wku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Valpo WKU
Tuition (In State) $43,400 $11,112
Tuition (Out of State) $43,400 $27,000
Room & Board $13,180 $11,072
Avg Net Price $22,755 $12,625
Avg Grant Aid $34,706 $10,260
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Valpo WKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,842 7,505
Admitted 6,442 7,276
Acceptance Rate 94.2% 96.9%
Enrolled % 9.4% 37.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.76 3.42
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 27/30 18/25
SAT Range 1140/1360 980/1170
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 1, 2024

Academics

Valpo WKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Engineering (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

Valpo WKU
Graduation Rate 71% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,000 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $279 $250

Diversity

Valpo WKU
% Men 45% 37%
% Women 55% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 76%
% Black 6% 10%
% Hispanic 8% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 7% 6%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Valpo WKU
% In-State 48% 70%
% Out-of-State 49% 29%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than Valpo based on total student enrollment (16,493 students vs. 2,958 students)

Valpo vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Valpo or WKU?

  • Valparaiso University is 290.6% more expensive to attend than WKU for in-state tuition ($43,400.00 vs. $11,112.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 60.7% higher at Valpo than Western Kentucky University ($43,400.00 vs. $27,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than Valpo ($12,625 vs. $22,755)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 19% lower than costs at Valparaiso University ($11,072 vs. $13,180)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Valparaiso University than Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 238.3% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($34,706 vs. $10,260)

Valpo vs. WKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Valparaiso University (1159) is 112 points higher than at WKU (1047)
  • Incoming Valpo students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at WKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Valpo students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at WKU (3.42)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Valpo (94.2%)

Valpo vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Valpo is higher than Western Kentucky University (71% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Valparaiso University earn on average $16,900 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($54,000 vs. $37,100)
  • Western Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Valpo graduates. ($24,250 vs. $27,000)
  • WKU graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than Valpo graduates. ($250 vs. $279)
  • More Valpo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 47%)

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