Valley City State University

  • 5/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Valley City, ND
  • 0 reviews
#4 Best Public Universities in North Dakota

Overview

Total enrollment

1,806
Valley City State University overview
Valley City State University overview
  • Size Small
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Valley City State University, located in Valley City, North Dakota, sits along the Sheyenne River Valley approximately 60 miles west of Fargo. The public institution, established in 1890 as a normal school for teacher education, operates from a hillside campus featuring a mix of historic and modern buildings. While maintaining its heritage in teacher education, VCSU has expanded its academic offerings to include business, information technology, and science programs, with particular emphasis on its education and technology-focused degrees. The university provides traditional dormitory housing for its undergraduate population and competes in NAIA athletics as the Vikings, maintaining a strong presence in regional collegiate sports.

Ratings

Valley City State University is rated within the lower 45% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    5 out of 10
  • Academics
    3 out of 10
  • Resources
    8 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    5 out of 10
  • Value
    5 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy
Valley City State University admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 830/1070
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 17/24
  • GPA 3.31

Acceptance Rate

99.1%
Valley City State University applications overview
  • Applications Due -
  • Enrollment Rate 53.9%
  • Application Fee $35

Applicant Competition Very Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Annual Cost to Attend

In District Resident Tuition

$8,514

North Dakota Resident Tuition

$8,580

Breakdown

In District Costs for Valley City State University
  • Tuition $8,514
  • Books and Supplies $1,000
  • Other Fees $1,961
  • Room and Board $8,580
  • Other Expenses Budget $4,358
  • Total One Year Cost $24,413

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$42,200 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

42% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Valley City State University are Education, Business, and Natural Resources Conservation. 54% of students major in Education, 12% in Business, and 5% in Natural Resources Conservation.

  • Education 54%
  • Business 12%
  • Natural Resources Conservation 5%
  • Human Services 4%
  • Health Professions 4%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Valley City State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=200572.

GPA calculator: Valley City State University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026