Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Valley City State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN with Valley City State University in Valley City, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gustavus Adolphus College is larger than Valley City State University based on total student enrollment (1,906 students vs. 1,806 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gustavus Adolphus College is located in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting); Valley City State University is in Valley City, ND (Remote Town setting).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Valley City State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1; Valley City State University 12:1.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Valley City State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gustavus Adolphus College 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 Gustavus Adolphus College ($12,442 vs. $26,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valley City State University are 27.3% lower than at Gustavus Adolphus College ($8,580 vs. $11,804).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is 553.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Valley City State University (about $47,496 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $8,580.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 314% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Valley City State University (about $42,532 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $13,544.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Valley City State University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 455.1% larger than aid received by Valley City State University students ($41,450 vs. $7,467).

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Valley City State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gustavus Adolphus College 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 Gustavus Adolphus College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsValley City State University 830/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsValley City State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional; Valley City State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gustavus Adolphus College students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Valley City State University (3.31).
• Valley City State University has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than Gustavus Adolphus College (61%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.2% at Gustavus Adolphus College vs. 53.9% at Valley City State University.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Valley City State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gustavus Adolphus College 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).

• Gustavus Adolphus College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Valley City State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of about $14,100 more per year than Valley City State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Valley City State University graduates have a $5,670 lower median loan debt than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($21,330 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Valley City State University graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($220 vs. $279).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Valley City State University students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.