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Valley City State University
Valley City State University admits nearly everyone — 99.1% of applicants. A feature, not a flaw: the page below asks whether Valley City State University is worth attending, not whether you'll get in.
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Valley City State University anchors the college town of Valley City, ND, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint.
Its highest-earning path is Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management, where graduates median $69,799 four years out. Faculty pay averages $83,220 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 958 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 70.9% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 18 and 24 on the ACT composite. Put your own practice estimate on Valley City State University's range with the ACT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Valley City State University is test-optional — scores count when submitted, none required. Valley City State University's submitters' middle half scored 18–24 on the ACT; read that as the stronger-tester end of the admitted class.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Composite | 18 | 21 | 24 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Valley City State University received 492 applications and admitted 341 (69.3%), with 194 enrolling.
How Valley City State University compares
| Valley City State University | North Dakota median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 99.1% | 76.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $8,514 | $10,951 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $52,725 | $52,725 | $53,781 |
Ten years after enrolling, the median Valley City State University student earns $52,725 — 0% above the North Dakota median of $52,725 for college-goers.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Valley City State University prices by residency: $8,514 in-state versus $13,544 out-of-state — a $5,030 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
With 958 undergraduates, Valley City State University is small enough that class size and faculty access are structural, not marketing claims.
53.3% graduate within six years. Roughly 47% don't — ask a Valley City State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Valley City State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $69,799 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $58,067 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $52,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $48,841 |
Median earnings for these 4 Valley City State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $52,725 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 21 additional Valley City State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Valley City State University?
The middle 50% of Valley City State University's submitters earned ACT composites of 18–24; no GPA cutoff is published.
What is Valley City State University's acceptance rate?
69.3% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 341 admitted from 492 applicants.
How much does Valley City State University cost?
In-state tuition is $8,514; out-of-state students pay $13,544. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Valley City State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $52,725 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in North Dakota
- North Dakota State University-Main Campus — 95% admitted
- University of Jamestown — 88.1% admitted
- Trinity Bible College and Graduate School — 25.8% admitted
- University of North Dakota — 76.9% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.