Discover Valparaiso
YOUR HOME BETWEEN CLASSES AND ADVENTURES
WHERE CAREER PATHS COME TOGETHER
Valpo’s location opens doors to professional growth. The city sits close to Chicago, Indianapolis, and South Bend, Indiana, giving students access to major employers and strong career networks across the region.
Many students find internships, research projects, and full-time jobs in nearby cities while still enjoying the convenience of Valpo’s campus life. Major highways and regional transit make it easy to reach interviews, conferences, and networking events.
Whether your goal is to build experience during your program or launch your career after graduation, Valpo connects you to the people and opportunities that help make it happen.
Milwaukee: 2.5
|
Detroit:
hours
Cincinnati: 4 hours | F) Cleveland: 5.5 hours G) St. Louis: 5 hours | H) Minneapolis/St. Paul: 7 hours I) Kansas City: 8.5 hours
WHERE EVERY DAY BRINGS SOMETHING TO ENJOY
Downtown Valpo is always full of life. Local restaurants and cafés are at the center of it all, offering everything from weekend brunch to late-night pizza with friends. Outdoor patios, live music, and friendly service make dining out part of the Valpo experience.
In summer, Central Park Plaza hosts outdoor concerts, movies under the stars, and community events that bring people together. The farmers’ market adds to the energy with local produce and live music every week.
Each fall, the Popcorn Festival fills downtown with parades and food vendors celebrating Valpo’s connection to Orville Redenbacher. When winter arrives, the fun moves under the ice-skating pavilion at Central Park Plaza, keeping the city lively all year long.
WHERE COMMUNITY FEELS LIKE HOME
Valparaiso is one of the safest cities in Indiana, and it feels that way from the moment you arrive. The people here look out for each other, and the community takes pride in keeping the city peaceful and welcoming.
On campus, Valpo offers 24-hour support through campus police, escort services, and residence life staff who are always available to help. Off campus, the same spirit continues. Neighbors wave, local shop owners say hello, and the city works hard to create a positive environment for everyone.
Students notice right away how connected Valpo feels. Whether you come from across town or across the world, you’ll find a community that makes it easy to belong.
WHERE YOUR STORY BEGINS
Life at Valparaiso University is more than classes. Downtown offers great food, live music, and a friendly community, while nearby Chicago adds endless options for culture and career growth. From coffee in the city to sunsets at the Dunes, Valpo blends small-town comfort with big-city opportunity.
WHERE NATURE FEELS CLOSE
Just 15 minutes from campus, Indiana Dunes National Park stretches along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, where wide sandy beaches meet gentle waves and sunsets look ocean-like. It’s one of the region’s favorite spots to relax, explore, or spend a day outdoors.
The area around Valpo is full of trails, parks, and places to explore. You can paddle along quiet rivers, bike through forest paths, or spend the afternoon walking through the Dunes. Each season brings something new to see –beach days in summer, bright fall colors, and peaceful winter hikes.
Whether you’re looking for adventure or a quiet escape outdoors, Northwest Indiana gives you plenty of ways to explore and recharge.
