TruthA B O U T T H E V A L U E O F E D U C A T I O N

We know there are many misconceptions about the value of higher education. We believe

any student who has the ability and desire to succeed at Valpo should be able to do so.

That's why U.S. News & World Report ranks Valpo the No. 1 best value in the Midwest.

Higher education is one of the smartest investments you can make in your future. And we’re

committed to making sure it is within reach and giving you the resources to be successful.

When you choose a college or university, you’re investing in your future, and that’s

often a significant financial commitment. You want to know your decision will lead to a

rewarding career and to a life beyond expectations.

At Valpo, students challenge each other to be their best. You’ll find stimulating courses,

dedicated professors, and leadership opportunities to prepare you for success. You’ll

thrive in an environment where your classmates are driven, hard working, and invested

in their success and in the Valpo community, which you’ll call home. And your professors

will know more than just your name — they’ll know your career goals and your dreams, and

they’ll inspire you to achieve them.

An extraordinary education is within reach.

At the heart of a university lies its mission: the pursuit of truth. We thought we’d help get you started with some truths about the return on investment for a Valpo degree.

A college degree isn’t worth the investment.

Private colleges help students keep the price of college low and return on investment

high. At Valpo, generous alumni ensure the cost is within reach and that generations to

come will be able to experience an extraordinary Valpo education.

According to a 2016 report from the U.S. Government, the median full-time, full-year

worker over the age of 25 with a bachelor’s degree earns nearly $1 million more

than the same type of worker with just a high school diploma. This means the added

earnings equal roughly 15 times the average student’s debt.

Bottom line: student loans are an investment. And with a college degree, your lifetime

earnings will make this investment more than worth it.

TRUTHThe pay gap between those who graduated from college and those who didn’t is at a record high.

It is very difficult to receive financial aid at a private university.

Valpo undergraduate students receive significant financial assistance, totaling more than

$100 million annually. You’ll be able to apply for scholarships, grants, and loans, and our

financial aid office will help guide you through the process.

According to the Council of Independent Colleges, students at private colleges are twice

as likely to receive grants from their colleges as students at public institutions.

TRUTHA larger proportion of students at private colleges and universities receive financial aid than at public institutions.

OPTIONSKNOW YOUR

You’ll be able to choose from a variety of paths toward paying back any student loans. And we’ll be with you each step of the way to help you navigate these options and make the best choice for you and your future.

STANDARDTen years, same payment

GRADUATEDPayments start low and increase every two years for up to 10 years

DISCRETIONARY INCOMEOther plans base payments off a certain percentage of your discretionary income for a

given period of time. Basically, that’s what’s left after necessary expenses like food and

shelter (Hint: Netflix is not a necessary expense.)

Check out valpo.edu/roi to learn more about your options and available resources.

Many college graduates are buried in debt of $100,000 or more.

At Valpo, we work with families to make sure they don’t borrow more than they

can pay back, which is why our default rate of 3.5 is well below the national average

of 11.3.

Smaller private colleges work hard to raise substantial private support through alumni

giving campaigns, and they offset costs with grants and scholarships. With this support,

the average Valpo student will graduate with total debt less than $36,000.

Did you know?If you work for a government or nonprofit organization, you could

qualify for public service loan forgiveness.

TRUTHIn 2014, only 4 percent of all undergraduate and graduate borrowers owed $100,000 or more in student debt.

?

Only wealthy families can afford to send their children to private universities.

TRUTH

25 PERCENT

VALPO: RANKED FOR VALUE

LEARN MORE ABOUT VALPO’S GREAT VALUE AT valpo.edu/roi

of Valpo students are eligible for the federal Pell Grant program, which provides need-based

grants (which do not need to be repaid) to low-income undergraduate students.

U.S. News & World Report

• No. 1 Best Value in the Midwest

• No. 1 Best Undergraduate Teaching in the Midwest

• No. 4 Best University in the Midwest

Forbes Magazine

• Top 75 Colleges in the Midwest

Money Magazine

• Best Colleges for your Money

The Princeton Review

• Best Midwestern Colleges

Private universities enroll students of all financial backgrounds, and at about the same percentages as public institutions for low- and middle-income students.

EXPLORE

Valpo is a comprehensive university, with a liberal arts curriculum at its core. No matter

which degree program you pursue in any of our professional colleges, you will be

challenged to broaden your understanding of the world and tackle problems with

creative solutions.

But what exactly are the liberal arts?

With Latin roots, liberal means being free, and art means a way of doing something, or a

talent, like the art of living well. Liberal arts give students the freedom to acquire a broad

range of skills and abilities.

At Valpo, you’ll study a variety of topics and learn techniques that will apply to more than

just one profession. You’ll learn to approach questions with curiosity, creativity, and

flexibility, leading to innovative solutions for the world’s greatest challenges. And

regardless of your major, you’ll develop the expertise you need to prepare for a career in

a competitive workforce.

EXPLORE

Explore your interests and discover your deepest passions.

It’s impossible to find a job with a liberal arts degree.

Gain the knowledge and develop the skills most employers say they want. Valpo’s

curriculum combines a liberal arts background with degrees in time-honored

professions like health care and nursing, business, and engineering — backed by a

graduate placement rate above 90 percent for 23 consecutive years.

You’ll have the freedom to explore a variety of classes, and if you change your mind

along the way, you can rest easy knowing Valpo offers more than 70 undergraduate

degree programs and interdisciplinary options throughout our five undergraduate

colleges.

93 percent of employers believe a college graduate’s ability to think

critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems skillfully is

more important than her or his undergraduate major.

Think broadly and creatively. Learn to synthesize your coursework and apply theories

to practical problems. At Valpo, you’ll have opportunities to engage in active and

collaborative learning approaches and gain hands-on experience like undergraduate

research.

TRUTHof employers say every student should acquire liberal arts knowledge.80 PERCENT

You’ll be connected instantly to our global network of nearly 60,000 alumni. The bond that unites students and alumni will open doors for rewarding internships and careers. Valpo graduates are known throughout the world for being well rounded. That’s what employers want, and more importantly, that’s what the world needs.

ALUMNI

ALUMNI

It doesn’t matter where you go to school — a degree is a degree, no matter where it comes from.

Academics at Valpo go beyond textbooks and classrooms to prepare you for a

rewarding career and a life that will exceed even your wildest expectations. You will join

a community of scholars and educators devoted to the pursuit of truth and knowledge.

And you’ll gain hands-on experience alongside your classmates to apply theories

and concepts to real-world situations. Maybe you’ll visit the Indiana Dunes National

Lakeshore and explore a fascinating mix of ecological habitats. Or you can research new

methods to harness the sun’s energy and produce lightweight metals more efficiently.

You could even perform around the world with the Chorale, one of the top Lutheran

collegiate choirs in the United States.

You’ll study the challenging topics, ask the difficult questions, and learn not just what but

why and how.

TRUTHAt smaller, private universities like Valpo, students are more likely to have supportive relationships with professors, receive prompt feedback on their academic performance, and continue discussions of course material with professors and classmates outside of class.

IN THE MIDWEST

V A L P A R A I S O U N I V E R S I T Y

NO. 1 VALUE

Investing in your future is one of the most important decisions you will make.

It’s all here waiting for you, and it’s within reach.

Valpo students who receive financial assistance through scholarships, grants, loans, and/or campus employment

Job or graduate school placement rate for Valpo students within six months of graduation

Average annual aid award for new undergraduates receiving aid in 2015–2016

Total amount of financial assistance awarded to undergraduate students annually by Valpo

Year after year, more than 90 percent of graduates are employed or attend graduate school within six months of graduation.

93% 93%$30+$100+

And nearly 90 percent say they are passionate about their first careers.

M I L L I O N T H O U S A N D

Facts and figures in this resource are compiled in part by the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, the Council of Independent Colleges, the Valparaiso University Career Center, and Valparaiso University Student Financial Services.

File the FAFSA online at fafsa.gov and include Valpo’s school code: 001842.

Review your financial assistance award letters and call Financial Aid with any questions.

Visit valpo.edu/student-financial-services to learn more about financial assistance.

Read about our successful alumni at valpo.edu/roi

Secure your financial assistance award by completing the Enrollment Deposit Form and

FOCUS Registration Form.

NEXT STEPSSee for yourself — go to valpo.edu/visit to schedule your campus visit.

UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION

Duesenberg Welcome Center | 1620 Chapel Drive | Valparaiso, IN 46383-6493219.464.5011 | 888.GO.VALPO | valpo.edu/admission

valpo.edu/roi