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Valley City State University

Valley City, North Dakota · Public · 4-year · Town

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At a glance

Average net price
$11,890What students typically pay per year after grants and scholarships.
Acceptance rate
99%
Graduation rate
51%Share of students who finish within 150% of the normal time.
Undergraduates
958
In-state tuition
$8,514Published price before aid.
Out-of-state tuition
$13,544
SAT midpoint
1,063
Median earnings, 10 yrs
$52,725Median earnings of former students ten years after they first enrolled.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Data year: 2022-23 academic year. Updated September 2026. Figures are averages across all students and will differ from what any individual pays.

How it compares to similar colleges

Each rating covers one measure against public 4-year colleges nationally. Five stars means the top fifth on that measure. There is no overall score, because which of these matters is your call.

Affordability

$11,890

Better than 73% of public 4-year colleges (565 compared).

Completion

51%

Better than 46% of public 4-year colleges (566 compared).

Earnings

$52,725

Better than 44% of public 4-year colleges (590 compared).

Debt at graduation

$20,369

Better than 58% of public 4-year colleges (588 compared).

What these ratings are based on
Affordability
Based on average net price: what students receiving federal aid actually paid, after grants and scholarships. Your own cost depends on your family's finances.
Completion
Based on the share of first-time, full-time students who graduate within 150% of normal time. It excludes transfer and part-time students, which understates colleges serving many of them.
Earnings
Based on median earnings ten years after students first enrolled. It reflects the subjects a college teaches and the region it sits in as much as its teaching.
Debt at graduation
Based on median federal loan debt among students who completed. Private and parent loans are not included, so real totals are often higher.
Why there is no rating for selectivity
A lower acceptance rate is selectivity, not quality. Awarding stars for it would be us inventing a value judgement and hiding it behind a number.

What it actually costs

Published cost

$20,468

The sticker price: tuition, fees, housing, food and books for one academic year, before any aid.

Average net price

$11,890

What students receiving federal aid actually paid on average, after grants and scholarships. This is the more useful number, though your own figure depends on your family’s finances.

What would this cost me?
Use this college’s official net price calculator

Outcomes

Graduation, retention, debt and earnings for Valley City State University
Graduation rateWithin 150% of normal time51%
Retention rateFirst-year students who return71%
Median debt at graduationFederal loans only, students who completed$20,369
Median earnings, 10 years after entryFormer students, working and not enrolled$52,725

What graduates of each major earn

Median earnings one year after finishing, for people who took that subject here. This is the figure a college-wide median hides: the spread between subjects at one college is usually far wider than the spread between colleges.

Bachelor’s programs at Valley City State University by graduate earnings
MajorEarnings, 1 yrDegrees awarded
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$49,58241
Business Administration, Management and Operations$47,79922
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management$44,25314
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$44,17996
MusicNot reported11
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesNot reported8
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessNot reported7
Psychology, GeneralNot reported7
Human Services, GeneralNot reported6
HistoryNot reported6
Health/Medical Preparatory ProgramsNot reported6
Communication and Media StudiesNot reported5
Computer EngineeringNot reported4
English Language and Literature, GeneralNot reported4
Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralNot reported4
Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchNot reported3
Fine and Studio ArtsNot reported1
Biology, GeneralNot reported1
Visual and Performing Arts, GeneralNot reported1
MathematicsNot reported1
Management Information Systems and ServicesNot reported1
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied ProfessionsNot reported1
Social Sciences, GeneralNot reportedNot reported
ChemistryNot reportedNot reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsNot reportedNot reported

All 25 bachelor’s programs this college reported.

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