Valley City State University
#1 Best Education Colleges in North Dakota- Graduation Rate
- 51% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $52,725 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $11,890 B-
- 31% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 99% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 26.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $26.2 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Education Colleges in North Dakota.
Every $1 spent returns $26.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,197,388.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 29% above the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 2.15% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $26.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Valley City State University Matters
Valley City State University is a public college in Valley City, ND and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 958
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Education, Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions
Why students choose Valley City State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 99% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 830–1070. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $11,890 a year after grants and scholarships — 31% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $52,725 ten years after enrolling — 29% above the typical college, against $20,369 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 24% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.67 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Valley City State University is a good fit for students seeking a supportive learning environment, particularly those interested in fields like Education, Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, and Visual & Performing Arts. With an acceptance rate of 99%, it’s clear that the university values inclusivity and welcomes a diverse range of students. This high acceptance rate can provide a sense of security for those who may feel uncertain about the college application process.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $52,725 within ten years. That number gives a glimpse into the potential financial benefits of a degree from Valley City State. The school is affordable, with a net price of $11,890 after aid, which helps keep financial stress at bay. While the graduation rate sits at 51%, it’s worth noting that many students find their footing and succeed in their careers post-graduation, despite the challenges.
In terms of the financial picture, graduates carry a median debt of $20,369. This manageable debt level, combined with the reasonable cost of attendance, makes Valley City State a practical option for many. Students who thrive here tend to be those who appreciate a close-knit community and are looking for a hands-on education that prepares them for real-world challenges. Overall, this university can be a stepping stone for those ready to invest in their futures without overwhelming financial burdens.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Valley City State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Valley City State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Valley City, North Dakota, Valley City State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,041. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 99%
- Retention Rate
- 71%
- SAT Average
- 1041
- ACT Midpoint
- 20
- SAT Range
- 830–1070
- ACT Range
- 17–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 51%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,935
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.35
- First-Gen Students
- 26%
- Applicants
- 429
- Admitted
- 358
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Valley City State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Valley City State University is $13,544, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,890. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,879 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,369 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,514
- Out-of-State
- $13,544
- Avg Net Price
- $11,890
- Median Debt
- $20,369
- Pell Grant Rate
- 17%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 30%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $7,879
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $7,787
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $10,841
- Family Income $110K+
- $14,570
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Valley City State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Valley City State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Valley City State University earn a median of $52,725, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,820
- 8 Years
- $47,396
- 10 Years
- $52,725
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.39x
- Earning > $25K
- 73%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (42)
- 25%
- 100% (42)
- 25%
- 100% (42)
- 25%
- 100% (42)
- 25%
How Valley Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Valley City State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Valley City State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $11,890/year ($47,560 total). Graduates earn $52,725 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,244,948 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,197,388 (26.2× your investment). The median debt is $20,369, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 51% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $47,560
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,244,948
- Net Return
- $1,197,388
- ROI Multiple
- 26.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $11,890
- Median Debt
- $20,369
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Valley City State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Valley City State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.15%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 19.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $62,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.15%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 19.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 11.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $85,187
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $415,375
- Investment Income
- $373,997
Top Programs
The fields Valley City State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Education 48% $51,092 early-career
- Humanities 22%
- Business & Marketing 10% $45,495 early-career
- Health Professions 4%
- Visual & Performing Arts 2%
- Psychology 1%
- Computer Science & IT 1%
- English & Literature 1%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Valley City State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Valley City State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Valley City, North Dakota, Valley City State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,041. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Valley City State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Valley City State University is $13,544, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,890. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,879 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,369 in federal student loans.
Is Valley City State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Valley City State University earn a median of $52,725, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Valley City State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Valley City State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.15%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 19.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $62,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Valley City State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Valley City State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.67, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Valley City State University.
- Georgetown CollegeGeorgetown, KY · Close peer48% grad $52,074 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Trinity Washington UniversityWashington, DC · Close peer47% grad $53,804 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bethel UniversityMishawaka, IN · Close peer55% grad $48,860 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- American International CollegeSpringfield, MA · Close peer44% grad $53,124 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Doane UniversityCrete, NE · Close peer56% grad $53,316 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bay Path UniversityLongmeadow, MA · Close peer51% grad $55,383 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Valley City State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Valley City State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.67, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note