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Valley City State University

Valley City State University is based in the town of Valley City, ND — a public campus in a small-town setting.

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

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Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$9,030

family income
under $30k

$12,130

$30–48k

$11,758

$48–75k

$15,340

$75–110k

$15,411

over $110k

These figures don't always rise with income — aid formulas can make a higher bracket cheaper.

Average net price

$11,8902023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Valley City State University has wandered from 2008 to 2023 — up to $13,613 at the peak — but ends near where it began, at $11,890.

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$11,314
2009	$11,812
2010	$9,475
2011	$11,161
2012	$11,664
2013	$11,711
2014	$11,610
2015	$11,920
2016	$12,565
2017	$11,737
2018	$11,981
2019	$11,676
2020	$13,060
2021	$11,672
2022	$13,613
2023	$11,890

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$20,4682024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Valley City State University rose from $15,255 (2009) to $20,468 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$15,255
2010	$15,777
2011	$15,299
2012	$15,791
2013	$16,086
2014	$16,643
2015	$16,940
2016	$17,348
2017	$17,762
2018	$17,987
2019	$18,269
2020	$18,712
2021	$19,078
2022	$19,362
2023	$20,713
2024	$20,468

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition — data
Year	In-state	Out-of-state
2000	$3,173	$6,483
2001	$3,306	$6,758
2002	$3,588	$7,265
2003	$4,026	$8,455
2004	$4,558	$9,785
2005	$5,160	$11,266
2006	$5,308	$11,576
2007	$5,846	$12,866
2008	$6,055	$13,427
2013	$6,516	$14,596
2014	$6,674	$15,070
2015	$6,800	$15,406
2016	$7,196	$16,016
2017	$7,406	$16,579
2018	$7,626	$17,166
2019	$7,707	$12,120
2020	$7,942	$12,532
2021	$8,195	$12,969
2022	$8,458	$13,422
2023	$8,514	$13,478

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Valley City State University reports published tuition by residency: $8,514 in-state versus $13,544 out-of-state — a $5,030 gap that makes state lines part of the decision. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Valley City State University reports 958 undergraduates. This count does not measure class size or advising access.

53.3% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Valley City State University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

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53.3%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Valley City State University rose from 41.9% (entered 1991) to 53.3% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	41.9%
1992 cohort	39.4%
1993 cohort	39.3%
1994 cohort	44.8%
1995 cohort	46.4%
1996 cohort	40.5%
1997 cohort	42.4%
1998 cohort	49.2%
1999 cohort	43%
2000 cohort	38.6%
2001 cohort	51%
2002 cohort	47.1%
2003 cohort	42.8%
2004 cohort	39.5%
2005 cohort	42.1%
2006 cohort	41.2%
2007 cohort	46.2%
2008 cohort	48%
2009 cohort	40.8%
2010 cohort	35%
2011 cohort	34.9%
2012 cohort	40.6%
2013 cohort	50%
2014 cohort	44.9%
2015 cohort	53.2%
2016 cohort	47.5%
2017 cohort	48.1%
2018 cohort	53.3%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$13,286	$3,609
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$13,691	$5,438
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$13,188	$5,354
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$13,188	$4,969
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$14,580	$4,430
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$14,086	$4,375
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$16,756	$5,304
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$16,886	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$15,815	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$16,713	$3,779
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$18,530	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$19,333	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$19,561	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$20,770	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$21,500	$5,945
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$21,475	$5,839
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$21,227	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$20,856	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$20,431	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$21,460	$6,884
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$20,500	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$20,369	$6,569

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$45,820

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$47,396

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$52,725

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Valley City State University admitted 321 of 324 applicants in Fall 2024. The 99.1% rate describes that application pool.

99.1%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $8,514 in-state tuition · 2023–24 958 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 830–10701600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Valley City State University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Valley City State University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 420–530 and Math was 410–540 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 830–1070 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	420	450	530
SAT Math	410	480	540
ACT Composite	17	20	24

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Valley City State University received 324 applications and admitted 321 (99.1%), with 173 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

99.1%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	95.3%
Fall 2002	93.1%
Fall 2003	90.9%
Fall 2004	91.6%
Fall 2005	93.8%
Fall 2006	88.4%
Fall 2007	91.5%
Fall 2008	89.5%
Fall 2009	88.3%
Fall 2010	86.1%
Fall 2011	86.6%
Fall 2012	81.2%
Fall 2013	82.9%
Fall 2014	90.3%
Fall 2015	86.4%
Fall 2016	98.1%
Fall 2017	76.3%
Fall 2018	73.7%
Fall 2019	76.2%
Fall 2020	80.6%
Fall 2021	81.5%
Fall 2022	83.5%
Fall 2023	69.3%
Fall 2024	99.1%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

830–1070Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2002	820	930
Fall 2004	840	1050
Fall 2005	900	1150
Fall 2006	860	1060
Fall 2009	840	1030
Fall 2010	830	1030
Fall 2011	870	1050
Fall 2012	800	1020
Fall 2013	860	970
Fall 2014	816	978
Fall 2015	734	955
Fall 2016	810	950
Fall 2017	980	1120
Fall 2018	900	1090
Fall 2019	948	1090
Fall 2020	880	1070
Fall 2021	935	1190
Fall 2022	1030	1110
Fall 2024	830	1070

IPEDS Fall 2002–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

17–24Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	19	23
Fall 2002	18	23
Fall 2003	19	23
Fall 2004	18	23
Fall 2005	18	23
Fall 2006	18	23
Fall 2007	18	23
Fall 2008	18	23
Fall 2009	18	23
Fall 2010	18	23
Fall 2011	18	22
Fall 2012	18	22
Fall 2013	18	23
Fall 2014	19	25
Fall 2015	18	23
Fall 2016	18	24
Fall 2017	18	23
Fall 2018	18	23
Fall 2019	18	24
Fall 2020	17	22
Fall 2021	17	23
Fall 2022	17	23
Fall 2023	18	24
Fall 2024	17	24

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

958Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Valley City State University has held near 958 from Fall 2002 to Fall 2024.

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	1,000
Fall 2003	998
Fall 2004	1,033
Fall 2005	1,013
Fall 2006	959
Fall 2007	899
Fall 2008	900
Fall 2009	961
Fall 2010	948
Fall 2011	1,055
Fall 2012	957
Fall 2013	924
Fall 2014	952
Fall 2015	974
Fall 2016	958
Fall 2017	1,010
Fall 2018	1,006
Fall 2019	1,038
Fall 2020	1,004
Fall 2021	942
Fall 2022	914
Fall 2023	918
Fall 2024	958

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

71%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Valley City State University has wandered from Fall 2003 to Fall 2023 — up to 73% at the peak — but ends near where it began, at 71%.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2003 cohort	65%
Fall 2004 cohort	67%
Fall 2005 cohort	66%
Fall 2006 cohort	61%
Fall 2007 cohort	67%
Fall 2008 cohort	70%
Fall 2009 cohort	63%
Fall 2010 cohort	57%
Fall 2011 cohort	54%
Fall 2012 cohort	64%
Fall 2013 cohort	70%
Fall 2014 cohort	71%
Fall 2015 cohort	71%
Fall 2016 cohort	72%
Fall 2017 cohort	68%
Fall 2018 cohort	73%
Fall 2019 cohort	72%
Fall 2020 cohort	61%
Fall 2021 cohort	71%
Fall 2022 cohort	66%
Fall 2023 cohort	71%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2003–2023

More about Valley City State University

Faculty pay at Valley City State University averages $83,220 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Valley City State University as a primarily residential campus of 958 undergraduates — and 70.9% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Valley City State University's SAT section-percentile sums are 830–1070 — their midpoint is below the ND four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Valley City State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Valley City State University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Valley City State University99.1%

North Dakota median76.1%

National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Valley City State University$8,514

North Dakota median$10,951

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Valley City State University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Valley City State University$52,725

North Dakota median$52,725

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Valley City State University, North Dakota and national reference values
Metric & basis	Valley City State University	North Dakota median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	99.1%	76.1%	76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$8,514	$10,951	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$52,725	$52,725	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Valley City State University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Valley City State University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 4 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	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

These 4 fields listed for Valley City State University measure earnings after completion. The $52,725 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 21 additional Valley City State University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Valley City State University report?

Valley City State University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 830–1070 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Valley City State University's acceptance rate?

99.1% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 321 admitted from 324 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 earnings data does Valley City State University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $52,725. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

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 — 25.7% admitted
University of North Dakota — 76.9% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.