Valley City State University vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Northern State University is larger than Valley City State University based on total student enrollment (3,708 students vs. 1,806 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Valley City State University is located in Valley City, ND (Remote Town setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Valley City State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Valley City State University 12:1; Northern State University 19:1.

Valley City State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Valley City State University or NSU? 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 NSU ($12,442 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valley City State University are 19.1% lower than at Northern State University ($8,580 vs. $10,600).
• Northern State University is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Valley City State University (about $265 more per year; $8,845.00 vs. $8,580.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.4% higher at Valley City State University than at Northern State University (about $1,597 more per year; $13,544.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Valley City State University than at Northern State University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valley City State University students is 15.9% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($7,467 vs. $6,441).

Valley City State University vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Valley City State University or NSU? 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 NSU and Valley City State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 120 points higher than at Valley City State University (950).
• Incoming NSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Valley City State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valley City State University 830/1070; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valley City State University 17/24; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Valley City State University - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Valley City State University (3.31).
• Valley City State University has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than NSU (93%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.9% at Valley City State University vs. 35.2% at NSU.

Valley City State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Valley City State University and NSU? 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).

• The graduation rate at Valley City State University is the same as at Northern State University (42% vs. 42%).
• Graduates from Valley City State University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Valley City State University graduates have a $3,069 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($21,330 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, Valley City State University graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($220 vs. $252).
• More Valley City State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 63%)

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.