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Your next step begins at Valpo.
In our department, and at Valparaiso University in general, you will benefit from diverse research opportunities, sophisticated equipment, and exceptional teaching and mentorship. You will also develop your analytical skills and your sense of purpose — preparing you to succeed in your career for life.
There is no separate admission process for Physics & Astronomy: once you’re accepted into Valpo as a student and you’ve declared Physics or Astronomy as a major, you are part of our group. You will be assigned a faculty advisor in the fall, and we will welcome and guide you.
To find out more, Valpo Admission has everything you need to:
- Submit your application
- Learn about financing your education
- Plan a visit (and meet one of our faculty!)
Also check our First Year Summer Research Internship Award (and apply for it!)
A note about the price of your education
Attending a University is expensive. It costs a lot to provide the expertise, support, security, physical infrastructure, social events, and academic opportunities that define the “college experience” 24/7. Valpo is non-profit, meaning we charge what it takes to give students the superb experience they want and deserve and not a bit more.
It’s definitely an investment. In your future. It’s more important than any other purchase or investment you could possibly make. And it has, on average, an extraordinary return on that investment, both in terms of dollars earned and in overall enrichment and life/job satisfaction. But that investment pays off only if you complete the degree, so definitely go to college with the intent to study hard (and to play, too, of course), so your investment of your time and money has been worth it.
You might be deciding between public and private universities. Please note that private universities look more expensive on paper, but are often comparable to public schools due to scholarships, completion rates, and 4-year graduation rates. For example, for physics and astronomy majors at Valpo, roughly 95% of our graduating students have done so within 4-years. At over-crowded and underfunded large public schools, the norm is drifting towards 5 years due to issues with advising, availability of required classes, and acceptance into high-demand programs of study, So take that into consideration when comparing prices.