As counterintuitive as it might seem, the private non-profit university student loan delinquency rate is lowest among 3 groupings - private for-profit (highest), public (2nd), and private NP (lowest).
Actually that doesn't surprise me. Private school parents might push the kid on his credit rating and have the financial flexibility to step in to save it during rough months of payment. And the public universities is a huge group across all types, including many locals or easy entry schools with low retention rates.
I guess my point was that public chatter about loan burdens might diminish the size of market for private school potential students. More perceptions that loans are snaring more grads could tighten the value question for capable parents. For a broad example, as a parent, do you pick a high brand flagship state school (Purdue or IU) at a net family cost of $20k/year, an elite branded school at a $50k/year net cost (Notre Dame, Northwestern), or a mid-range brand like Valpo at a $35k/year net cost after your "aid." My sense is you lose biggest to the flagships.
@realist77 according to Niche Valpo average after aid is 22,755 which is in line with what Padilla said at our admitted student day. Most with as high of job placement, graduation rate, and some prestige are a lot more. Thats my OP and I am biased.... BUT STILL I think Valpo is a pretty value compared to other comparable private universities.
Besides the shrinking population of students, there has been a huge trend in Indiana, at least, to promote the trades and other jobs that don’t require a 4 year degree. The high schools in Indiana are working hard with Ivy Tech to get high school students dual credits that allow them to graduate high school and have a technical certificate (30 credits), which allows them to enter the workforce, many positions making $50k+, in some cases, they could be making more than $75k. In many fields, they can continue to get their Associate degree with State funded Next Level $ and have no debt. Nipsco, the Steel Mills and other businesses are investing heavily in Ivy Tech schools, especially Ivy Tech Valpo, to train the workforce that they need. I have heard that some of these jobs can net students a six figure income very quickly after they graduate. All this reduces the shrinking pool of college age young adults that will get a four year degree. I could go on, but the bottom line is that Valpo has challenges to attract students from multiple directions.
The right new President will be hands on when it comes to student recruiting and retention, a visible figure on campus. The school needs someone who will breathe life into it, the same way that O.P. instantly energized a flagging VU in 1940. To repeat my earlier suggestion, the dream candidate would be someone with the on-the-ground mission zeal of O.P. and the on-the-ground entrepreneurial smarts of Kinsey & Brown.
That's a great way to articulate the ideal candidate description. He would be a rare bird with that twin set of talents. But...vision would create excitement.
Padilla, in fairness, needed to do major surgery by literally "cutting." Hopefully a new guy can energize the patient to full recovery!
I had a conversation on campus this morning with someone who knows the admissions situation and was pleased to report there has been an uptick of enrollments in April, so the current numbers now are running a little above last year. I was cautioned that there is uncertainty as to whether this is a result of so many applications and decisions being made late last year due to FAFSA problems, and that a better picture will be available in two weeks, but positive news is always good to hear.
Yesterday (May 1) was the traditional decision day, though obviously not as significant nowadays. Nevertheless, I was given the impression by the person I spoke to above that two weeks later there is still cautious optimism concerning admissions. In fact, I was informed the enrollment numbers surprisingly are even stronger since our last conversation.
valpopal - Thanks for the update. While I am always dubious on admissions info without specific meaningful data (i.e., deposits), I am hopeful that the update from the admissions people is correct.
valpopal - Thanks for the update. While I am always dubious on admissions info without specific meaningful data (i.e., deposits), I am hopeful that the update from the admissions people is correct.
Normally, I share your dubious attitude and disregard less important stats; however, I can assure you the numbers shared with me were limited to "deposits," so for the first time in years, I am unusually (if cautiously) optimistic this time around.
I guess optimism is something...considering Moody dropped the credit rating to junk
I guess optimism is something...considering Moody dropped the credit rating to junk
Yes, the Moody's report is going to dampen optimism raised by deposits thus far. I only hope the bad publicity doesn't stem the positive enrollment momentum.
Wow. So recruiting and attracting a candidate for president will mix in "junk bond" status. That concerns me even more than a repeat of fall 2024 or even a 1% drop. Was enrollment the key Moody's factor or was cash-in-hand cited? You can't paper over a bond rating.
Moody’s Rationale: Enrollment, Ethics, and Reputational Risk
Moody’s downgrade cites three key factors:
1. Enrollment Crisis: The steady decline in student numbers has slashed net tuition revenue, leaving Valparaiso overly dependent on volatile enrollment forecasts.
2. Controversial Art Sale: The decision to sell O’Keeffe’s painting and other museum pieces drew condemnation from faculty, art institutions like the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD), and even the Brauer Museum’s namesake founder, who vowed to disassociate his name if the sale proceeded.
3. Governance Concerns: The lack of transparency in the decision-making process—approved by the Board without prior faculty or stakeholder consultation—has eroded trust, potentially deterring future donations and enrollments.
I think John Nunes would be a great new President. Former Valpo professor, man of color, led multi-million dollars organization as well as being a President of a Lutheran college and a sports fan! His son JJ was a star DB at Valpo a few years ago.
In addition to being the prior president of Concordia NY, John Nunes is also currently serving as interim president of California Lutheran University.
