Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
Valparaiso admits about 9 in 10 applicants (90%). That puts it in the "Accessible" tier, more selective than 23% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (89% and 90%).
No application fee
Grants credit for AP exams
Where applicants live
Indiana applicants were admitted at 89%, applicants from other states at 93%, and international applicants at 82%.
All applicants in the same class: 90%
Of those admitted, 14% from Indiana enrolled, against 10% from other states and 2.8% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
12% of admitted students enroll, on the lower end nationally.
No wait list
Applying early
Doesn't offer early decision or early action
Where you stand
How Valparaiso reads a record
and GPA are both very important; class rank and tests are both considered. 49% of first-years had a 3.75 or higher. Scores are optional. 30% of first-years sent an SAT and 5% an ACT. Most first-years were admitted without scores. Of the 50% whose high school reported a rank, 28% were in the top tenth. Recommends 4 years of math and 3 of science (3 and 2 required). See the years by subject
What they look at
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Considered | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Considered | ||||
| Essay | Important | ||||
| Recommendations | Considered | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Considered | ||||
| Talent or ability | Considered | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Considered | ||||
| First generation | Not considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Not considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Not considered | ||||
| State residency | Not considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Not considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program considered; demonstration of competencies considered; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
80% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 90% of first-year applicants
349 applied · 278 admitted · 120 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall, spring, and summer.
Minimum college GPA: 2.5
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: priority date March 1, decisions on a rolling basis
- Spring entry: decisions on a rolling basis
- Summer entry: decisions on a rolling basis
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required of some
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Recommended
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Priority date: November 1. Applying by then can matter for scholarships, programs, or housing.
- Decisions are sent on a rolling basis.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1, or within 4 weeks if admitted later.
- Housing deposit, due May 1, non-refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 1 year.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; doesn't accept the GED.
Recommends a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | 4 |
| Math | 3 | 4 |
| Science (lab: 2 / 3) | 2 | 3 |
| Foreign language | 2 | 2 |
| History | 2 | 2 |
| Academic electives | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 16 | 18 |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
Average GPA 3.68
High schools grade differently, and colleges recalculate or weight GPAs their own way, so compare this college only with itself.
First-years by high school GPA (4.0 scale)
- 4.031%
- 3.75–3.9918%
- 3.50–3.7415%
- 3.25–3.4914%
- 3.00–3.2414%
- below 3.08%
The middle half had GPAs of 3.25–4.0.
All nine bands
| GPA | All |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 31.0% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 18.0% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 15.0% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 14.0% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 14.0% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 8.0% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 0.0% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 0.0% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
28% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 57% in the top quarter, of the 50% whose high school reported a rank.
Source:Valparaiso University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1170 on the SAT, right around the national median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
submitted ACT
Read with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:Valparaiso University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Valparaiso University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;Valparaiso University Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Valparaiso University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)