Metropolitan State University vs. Valley City State University

Should I go to Metropolitan State University or Valley City State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Metropolitan State University or Valley City State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Metropolitan State University vs. Valley City State University comparison
Metropolitan State University Valley City State University College 3 College 4
Metropolitan State University
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Overview

Metropolitan State University Valley City State University
Location Saint Paul, MN Valley City, ND
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 6,005 1,754
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #621
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website metrostate.edu vcsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Metropolitan State University Valley City State University
Tuition (In State) $8,571 $6,619
Tuition (Out of State) $8,571 $11,583
Room & Board $15,864 $7,280
Avg Net Price $18,233 $13,841
Avg Grant Aid $8,021 $6,346
% Receiving Grant Aid 79% 98%

Admission

Metropolitan State University Valley City State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 542 492
Admitted 523 341
Acceptance Rate 96.5% 69.3%
Enrolled % 30.2% 56.9%
Avg High School GPA - 3.31
Typical High School Grades - B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23
SAT Range 1030/1110
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

Metropolitan State University Valley City State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (33%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Education (54%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)
  • Human Services (4%)
  • Health Professions (4%)

Outcomes

Metropolitan State University Valley City State University
Graduation Rate 29% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,200 $42,200
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,992 $21,330
Median Loan Payment $186 $220

Diversity

Metropolitan State University Valley City State University
% Men 5% 2%
% Women 7% 5%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 54% 81%
% Black 20% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Metropolitan State University Valley City State University
% In-State 99% 65%
% Out-of-State 1% 31%

Campus

Metropolitan State University Valley City State University
Campus Housing No Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Metropolitan State University is larger than than Valley City State University based on total student enrollment (6,005 students vs. 1,754 students)

Metropolitan State University vs. Valley City State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University or Valley City State University?

  • Metropolitan State University is 29.5% more expensive to attend than Valley City State University for in-state tuition ($8,571.00 vs. $6,619.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 35.1% higher at Valley City State University than Metropolitan State University ($11,583.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Valley City State University than Metropolitan State University ($13,841 vs. $18,233)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valley City State University are 117.9% lower than costs at Metropolitan State University ($7,280 vs. $15,864)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Valley City State University than Metropolitan State University (98% vs. 79%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University students is 26.4% larger than aid received Valley City State University ($8,021 vs. $6,346)

Metropolitan State University vs. Valley City State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Metropolitan State University or Valley City State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Valley City State University or Metropolitan State University .

  • Metropolitan State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Valley City State University (69.3%)

Metropolitan State University vs. Valley City State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Metropolitan State University or Valley City State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Valley City State University and Metropolitan State University.

  • The graduation rate at Valley City State University is higher than Metropolitan State University (42% vs. 29%)
  • Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn on average $7,000 more per year than Valley City State University graduates after ten years. ($49,200 vs. $42,200)
  • Metropolitan State University students graduate with a $3,338 lower median federal student loan debt than Valley City State University graduates. ($17,992 vs. $21,330)
  • Metropolitan State University graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than Valley City State University graduates. ($186 vs. $220)
  • More Valley City State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/