DSU vs. Valley City State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Dickinson State University in Dickinson, ND with Valley City State University in Valley City, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Valley City State University is larger than DSU based on total student enrollment (1,806 students vs. 1,410 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson State University is located in Dickinson, ND (Remote Town setting); Valley City State University is in Valley City, ND (Remote Town setting).
• Dickinson State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Valley City State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson State University 16:1; Valley City State University 12:1.

DSU vs. Valley City State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSU or Valley City State University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Valley City State University than DSU ($12,442 vs. $14,698).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson State University are 0.2% lower than at Valley City State University ($8,564 vs. $8,580).
• Dickinson State University is 6.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Valley City State University (about $538 more per year; $9,118.00 vs. $8,580.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.5% higher at Valley City State University than at Dickinson State University (about $4,426 more per year; $13,544.00 vs. $9,118.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Valley City State University than at Dickinson State University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valley City State University students is 31.8% larger than aid received by Dickinson State University students ($7,467 vs. $5,667).

DSU vs. Valley City State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSU or Valley City State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Valley City State University and DSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson State University (1000) is 50 points higher than at Valley City State University (950).
• Incoming Valley City State University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at DSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson State University 875/1130; Valley City State University 830/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson State University 16/21; Valley City State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSU - Test-free; Valley City State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Valley City State University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at DSU (3.11).
• Valley City State University has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than DSU (37%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 51.8% at DSU vs. 53.9% at Valley City State University.

DSU vs. Valley City State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSU and Valley City State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Valley City State University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Dickinson State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Dickinson State University earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than Valley City State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson State University graduates have a $2,549 lower median loan debt than Valley City State University graduates ($18,781 vs. $21,330).
• Among borrowers, DSU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Valley City State University graduates ($194 vs. $220).
• More DSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Valley City State University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.