Valparaiso University Reviews

  • 26 Reviews
  • Valparaiso (IN)
  • Annual Tuition: $44,796
82% of 26 students said this degree improved their career prospects
85% of 26 students said they would recommend this school to others
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Student & Graduate Reviews

Jennifer L.
  • Reviewed: 7/16/2019
"Valparaiso University is an excellent choice for an undergraduate degree. It is a great school for a student who is looking for a classic, well-rounded 4 year university experience. I loved it because I was able to really follow all of my interests. I was able to have two very different majors, study abroad, and participate in extracurricular activities."
Rebecca Kazdoy
  • Reviewed: 6/29/2019
  • Degree: Social Work
"I went into college undecided, which seemed scary at first but the school provided many resources to help find a degree that interested me. All undecided students took an exploratory class in which we explored our values as people and what we might value in a career. Additionally, I worked with the Career Center on campus to identify potential careers I would have interest in using personalized extensive reports from career assessments. Furthermore, many professors were eager to assist me in exploring careers and majors, which speaks to the character of the university. Eventually, I stumbled upon a Sociology class fall semester of my sophomore year. Out of all the classes, I had taken thus far I enjoyed this class the most. However, my biggest question was "how do I apply these concepts?" and I decided to go to my professor ask this. Her response was that I should take some more social work courses, so then the next semester I took 4 social work classes without ever taking a social work class before. Before the semester had ended, I worked on my admission paperwork to the program (a statement of interest and an interview with a professor.) This process seems intimidating, but all of the staff and faculty involved were very nice and welcoming. Soon I would learn that Heidbrink Hall (the social work building on campus) would become a second home on campus. Once I started to take social work classes, I had realized I stepped into a rigorous academic program for which I am very grateful for. I enjoyed every minute of my social work classes; my professors were thoughtful and challenged us in ways that would make us grow as individuals and as a cohort (class of students). As graduation approached, I began filling out graduate applications and learning the power of Valparaiso University's Social Work Program - it was fully accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). This would allow me to be admitted to many graduate programs across the country and begin with "advanced standing status" and receive credit for that school's foundation courses. I ended up choosing the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis for concertation and the number of research centers the social work department has (about 15!) Had I not chosen to have the experiences I did at Valparaiso University, I would not be where I am today - about to start a prestigious graduate program! I could talk all day about my student activity experiences and positions I held on campus, but that would require another 300 words, just know your ultimate campus experience is what you make of it. Best of luck in finding your school, it will work out!"
Ashleigh Happer
  • Reviewed: 3/25/2017
  • Degree: Performing Arts
"If you aren't sure what area of theatre you should go into, Valpo is the place for you. They let you try your hand at designing, acting, stage managing, and directing. You can also work on crew for shows if you don't have much time in your schedule to rehearse for a full show."
Brittany DeVries
  • Reviewed: 3/20/2017
  • Degree: Nursing
"Valparaiso University is a one of a kind institution that celebrates diversity and strives for excellence. Professors are dynamic and involved in the lives of their students beyond the classroom. Valparaiso University is known for it's dedication to service, and the college of nursing is no exception. Professors and students alike are often found in the community serving locally and abroad. The attitude of servitude that was fostered here has developed in me a passion for service in my nursing career today by devoting volunteer time to my community each week. Valparaiso University is a terrific place for learning skills for careers and an even better place to learn how to love yourself, others, and the community. I am forever thankful for my education and life learning at this institution."
My Linh Mac
  • Reviewed: 3/10/2017
  • Degree: Art & Design
"Valparaiso University ranked on the top 5 Lutheran College in the Mid-West region for many reasons. The campus size is small but comes with a strong sense of community as students enjoy knowing many of their classmates and faculties. There is a good ratio between domestic and international students from 70 different cultural backgrounds. Academics are taken quite seriously by students and staffs with The Honor Code is written on all the main assignments and tests and the grading scale. Outside of classes, there are many cultural and educational events offered on campus throughout the year, as well as off-campus activities are also available including Downtown Valpo, the Dunes Beach and National Park nearby that take no longer than 30 minutes drive. There are also accessible free transportation available for students who wish to travel around town to Target, Walmart, Movie Theather, as well as late night van to pick up and drop off students within campus area from 11 pm to 3 am. The University also has its own Solar Energy Generator, Astronomy Observatory Lab, Art Museum, Marketing Agency, Convenience Store and even three different Starbuck locations. One of the very few draws back is Dining Service open hours are limited, the food is not as diverse and somewhat overly charged. ( eg: a tea bag can cost almost $2, a mini size of soup can cost over $3 and a healthy choice salad wrap can cost up to $8). The second draws back is the degree did teach me many things but somehow, it feels like it prepared me enough fo my Career as there are too many GenEd credits to complete where I should have more freedom to invest my credits hours in classes that actually matter. The overall Valpo experience is one worth living. It's overall the perfect place for students like me and hopefully you too!"
A. Schrader
  • Reviewed: 2/20/2017
  • Degree: Teaching
"This university is the perfect size for you take actually have a relationship with your professors, but you can meet more than enough new people. All my major classes really prepared me for the real world in teaching. Campus life is very active so you always have something to do, and you can find lots of great clubs to be a part of."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 7/22/2016
  • Degree: Religious Studies
"I was a non-traditional student - lived off campus and married. I went to class, did the work, and got good grades. Never found a social scene that I fit into. Nice people. Nice town. Good professors."
MeganK
  • Reviewed: 7/22/2016
  • Degree: Science & Math
"Valparaiso is a wonderful close knit school that offers a lot of opportunities for students to get involved. The student to teacher ratio is low enough to get one on one attention when you need it, but not so low that you feel like you're being singled out."
Class of 2007 - Business
  • Reviewed: 12/8/2015
  • Degree: Business
"I attended VU for my bachelors in Business Management and wanted to attend their MBA program. I was told that Management isn't a real major and was not accepted to their MBA program. When I asked for a recommendation to attend an MBA program in Chicago (University of Chicago and Northwestern) I was told by a faculty member that I wasn't smart enough to get in and that I should set my sights lower. Fast forward a few years and now I own a multi-million dollar business... but I'm not smart enough. Interesting... VU prepared me with excel skills and a solid background in business law. Everything else, not so much. I honestly could've learned the rest online through basic research. Needless to say, they will never get a penny from me, except the reimbursement for the scholarships I received."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 11/9/2015
  • Degree: Finance
"VU marked the beginning of lifelong friendships, learning, and service. My experience was enriched by the values and people of the institution, and I will never second guess my decision to attend Valpo!"
Samantha Tonn
  • Reviewed: 7/14/2015
  • Degree: Law
"The pros of Valpo Law are that the courses teach you to work hard. I learned my first year how to write relevant legal documents, and many law students don't do that until they are a second year. I love Valpo Law, and it has one of the best programs in the area. We have more clinics than any other law school in the Chicagoland area. The cons are that the hard work keeps me from having a social life, which is to be expected. Also, it doesn't have any housing for the law students, but the housing off campus is very reasonable."
Giridhar Raju Jagathapurao
  • Reviewed: 5/19/2015
  • Degree: Information Technology
"Network and teaching methodology at Valparaiso University is pretty good.It has got very good faculty with good technical skills. But the student advising department is not at all good. No financial aid is provided for graduate students. Apart from this university is good in all aspects."
Jasmine Morgan
  • Reviewed: 1/21/2015
  • Degree: Law
"Valparaiso Law is innovative with the new curriculum in how students are taught about the law. The professors and faculty want to see the students excel and work diligently with those who want to succeed."
Lauren H.
  • Reviewed: 8/6/2014
  • Degree: Nursing
"VU has a great nursing program that incorporates class lecture and clinical experiences at hospitals around Northwestern Indiana. Most of the professors at VU are very helpful, experienced, and enjoy their job. Although the nursing program is distantly removed from the rest of campus and the student body, it emerges you in everything involved in your future career in nursing. You will feel separated from other programs though and will rarely see the heart of campus, the student union, chapel, etc. The hands-on skill experiences incorporated into the nursing program could have been better, included more practice time, and been more emphasized in classroom learning. Overall I feel that I got a good experience at VU that will benefit me throughout my career. VU is very expensive and offers no scholarships or minimal aid to students enrolled in a second degree program, so be prepared to take out a lot of private loans. Otherwise, I have no complaints and value my time spent at VU; I am proud to have a degree from this esteemed university, although it took a lot of hard work and the burden of many loans to earn."
Christina Knipp
  • Reviewed: 7/21/2014
  • Degree: Law
"Valparaiso University School of Law provides excellent access to information on how to understand the nuisances of the law and how to become an effective lawyer. The best aspect of my school is how open the professors are to answering questions and their open door policy. What I would change about my school is the career planning center. While my professors have helped me tremendously, I have found it difficult to get the questions I have answered by this center. Luckily my school does have such wonderful professors that my questions do get answered."
Lisa Ward
  • Reviewed: 5/2/2014
  • Degree: School Psychology
"The faculty is very helpful, available, and knowledgeable. The graduate school and financial aid offices quickly responds to questions with a friendly and helpful attitude. My program of study has been comprehensive, detailed, and comprehensible. I feel more and more prepared to work in my chosen field every time I leave my classes."
Lindsay Stutzman Shively
  • Reviewed: 3/25/2014
  • Degree: Law
"The law program is competitive and challenging, yet there is a strong supportive network consisting of faculty and administration."
Jessica Voirin
  • Reviewed: 3/3/2014
  • Degree: School Psychology
"I am satisfied with the quality of education in my graduate program, but unfortunately, the graduate school at the University is currently lacking structure to function in an organized manner. For example, the graduate school and financial aid office has lost my paperwork three times within the past 7 months of attendance."
Ryan Sullivan
  • Reviewed: 2/5/2014
  • Degree: Law
"Pros: the professors are always willing to help the students succeed in their classes. The Career Counseling Center and Faculty Advisers are great tools too. Cons: Not a very well recognized school."
Carissa Stone-Acox
  • Reviewed: 2/4/2014
  • Degree: Law
"I enjoyed the experience while there. This is a good institution for people who enjoy a small university. The biggest con was the quality of network and job security upon graduation."