C+
Above Average
Score: 56/100
Overall (traditional)
C
Outcome Rating
50/100 · earnings-weighted

Valley City State University

4-Year Public
📍 Valley City, North Dakota 58072
Outcomes
C+
64/100
Affordability
C
52/100
Resources
C+
60/100
Experience
B+
75/100
Prestige
D
30/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

1,754
Total Enrollment
48%
Graduation Rate
66%
Retention Rate
12.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
69%
Acceptance Rate
$13,841
Avg Net Price
🏠 Housing Market Near Valley City State University ▼

5% of first-year students live off campus and not with family (U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS). Upper-year students at most universities move off campus at much higher rates, so near-campus rental demand is typically larger than this figure suggests.

Avg Home Value
$203,192
Avg Monthly Rent
$869
1-Year Change
+7.1%

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Valley City State University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$52,725
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$45,820
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$20,369
Median debt at graduation
53.3%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
1,041
Average SAT
20
Median ACT
16.9%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 39% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 47th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (ND wage index 0.93). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at Valley City State University

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management$44,253$69,799+54%#1 of 37#1$24,250
Business Administration, Management and Operations$47,799$58,067-15%#862 of 1176#840$25,250
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$49,582$52,500+2%#132 of 345#132$20,250
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$44,179$48,841+3%#301 of 680#302$15,000

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The Valley City State University Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $203,192
  • Avg rent near campus: $869/mo — vs ~$311/mo campus room rate
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 58072 (3.3% cap, Valley City)

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🏆 Where Valley City State University Ranks

Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.

🥉
Technology Teacher Education/Industrial Arts Teacher Education
of 5 schools
#27
Reading Teacher Education
of 59 schools

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $6,619 $11,583
Room $2,800
Board $4,480
Total Cost (On-Campus) $21,130 $26,094

Financial Aid

100%
Receive Any Aid
30%
Receive Pell Grants
65%
Take Out Loans
$13,841
Avg Net Price

Net Price by Family Income

Family Income Average Net Price
$0 - $30,000$9,030
$30,001 - $48,000$12,130
$48,001 - $75,000$11,758
$75,001 - $110,000$15,340
$110,001+$15,411

Programs & Career Paths

Top Degree Programs

Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.

Elementary Education and Teaching 92 grads/yr General Studies 88 grads/yr Technology Teacher Education/Industrial Arts Teacher Education 36 grads/yr Reading Teacher Education 35 grads/yr Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management 21 grads/yr Business Administration and Management, General 20 grads/yr Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other 17 grads/yr Physical Education Teaching and Coaching 11 grads/yr Mathematics Teacher Education 10 grads/yr Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General 10 grads/yr Music, General 9 grads/yr Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other 9 grads/yr Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other 8 grads/yr Secondary Education and Teaching 7 grads/yr Speech Communication and Rhetoric 7 grads/yr History Teacher Education 7 grads/yr Health Teacher Education 7 grads/yr Psychology, General 6 grads/yr School Librarian/School Library Media Specialist 6 grads/yr Selling Skills and Sales Operations 5 grads/yr

Related Career Paths

Careers that graduates from Valley City State University's top programs commonly pursue.

Education teachers, postsecondary
$72k/yr 74,900 jobs
Elementary school teachers, except special education
$62k/yr 1,422,700 jobs
Postsecondary teachers, all other
$78k/yr 183,400 jobs
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
$65k/yr 1,094,500 jobs
Career/technical education teachers, secondary school
$64k/yr 103,400 jobs
Career/technical education teachers, middle school
$64k/yr 14,000 jobs
Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education
$63k/yr 633,700 jobs
Career/technical education teachers, postsecondary
$61k/yr 122,200 jobs

Student Demographics

1,754
Total Students
60%
Women
60%
Traditional Age (18-24)
5%
Off-Campus Renters

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 82%
Hispanic 4%
Black 2%
Asian 1%
Two or More 4%
Non-Resident 2%

🏠 Living Arrangements

On Campus 91%
Off-Campus (Renters) 5%
With Family 4%
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~95 students need off-campus housing

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 47%
Hybrid (Some Online) 27%
Fully Online 26%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 60%
25-64 (Adult) 16%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Valley City State University?
Valley City State University has an acceptance rate of 69%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend Valley City State University?
Tuition at Valley City State University is $6,619 for in-state students and $11,583 for out-of-state students . However, the average net price after financial aid is $13,841.
What is the graduation rate at Valley City State University?
The graduation rate at Valley City State University is 48%. This graduation rate is below average. Consider factors like program type and student demographics when evaluating.
Is Valley City State University a good school?
Valley City State University has a Repit College Score of 56/100 (Grade: C+). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (C+): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (C): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (B+): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Valley City State University?
Valley City State University has a total enrollment of 1,754 students.
Is there rental demand near Valley City State University?
Yes! Approximately 5% of students at Valley City State University live off-campus (not with family). That's roughly 95 students who need rental housing near campus.

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Valley City State University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

🎓 Similar Colleges to Valley City State University

Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.

C+
Minot State University
Minot, ND · 2,741 students
C+
Dickinson State University
Dickinson, ND · 1,453 students
C+
Bismarck State College
Bismarck, ND · 4,065 students
C+
Mayville State University
Mayville, ND · 1,025 students
C+
Trinity Bible College and Graduate School
Ellendale, ND · 244 students
C+
United Tribes Technical College
Bismarck, ND · 542 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology