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.
