Valparaiso University Ranks No. 4 in Midwest as Undergraduate Enrollment Continues to Climb
Valpo Tops U.S. News List for 28 Consecutive Years, Honored as No. 1 Best Value and Best Undergraduate Teaching
For the 28th consecutive year, Valparaiso University has been identified as one of the best universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report magazine. In the 2017 edition, released today, Valpo is the No. 4 Best Regional University, among more than 140 universities in the category, and is ranked No. 1 in the Midwest for both Best Value and Best Undergraduate Teaching.
“It is an honor to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report once again for the outstanding education at Valparaiso University,” said Mark A. Heckler, Ph.D., University president. “This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all Valpo students, faculty and staff and reflects our unwavering focus on delivering a quality, affordable education to young women and men who make a positive difference in communities across the country and around the world. I am especially proud of our talented and dedicated faculty for the well-deserved distinction for best undergraduate teaching.”
Notable U.S. News rankings:
- Valpo is No. 4 in the ranking of Best Regional Universities in the Midwest, which evaluates academic reputation, retention, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate and alumni support.
- Ranked No. 1 in the Best Value category in the Midwest regional universities with 93% of undergraduate students receiving financial assistance through grants, scholarships and other sources.
- Ranked No. 1 among regional universities in the Midwest for best undergraduate teaching and is known for small class sizes and professors who mentor students inside and outside of the classroom.
- Named No. 3 Most Innovative in the Midwest and No. 4 Best College for Veterans in the Midwest.
- Once again, Valpo was placed on the list of A+ Schools for B Students, which measures institutions that provide opportunities for students of different academic achievement levels to thrive.
- The College of Engineering is the No. 13 best undergraduate engineering program in the country.
- The College of Business is included as one of the Best Business Programs in the nation.
- Valpo is also included in the 2017 Academic Programs to Look For category with recognition for First-Year Experience, Service-Learning and Study Abroad.
With 1,101 new students in the fall 2016 class, Valpo’s undergraduate enrollment is at the highest level in 28 years. Total enrollment is at 4,439 undergraduate, graduate and law students.
In addition to enrollment growth, Valpo continues to develop cutting-edge academic programs and expand campus infrastructure. In the past year, the University broke ground on a 55,000-square-foot science laboratory facility, which is slated to open in fall 2017, and opened townhouse-style sorority housing units. Valpo has introduced a number of academic programs recently, including aviation, bioengineering, data science, entrepreneurship, public health, a 5-year B.S./M.S. physician assistant studies program and statistics.
Valpo also has a strong athletics program, with 19 Division I teams. Last year, the men’s tennis team won both the Horizon League regular season and tournament championships, securing the program’s first invitation to the NCAA championships; the softball team won the Horizon League tournament and competed in the NCAA championships for the third time in five years; and the men’s basketball team won the Horizon League regular season title and advanced to the championship game of the National Invitation Tournament, enjoying the opportunity to play in the famed Madison Square Garden.
