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Valley City , ND
Valley City State University (VCSU) is a public institution located in Valley City, North Dakota. Founded in 1890, VCSU is recognized for its high-quality education and commitment to student success. With a focus on technology integration, the university provides a diverse range of programs in fields like education, business, IT, and health sciences.
VCSU offers a vibrant and supportive learning environment where students can pursue their academic and personal goals. The university boasts small class sizes, allowing for individualized attention and fostering meaningful connections between faculty and students. The dedicated faculty members are experts in their fields and are passionate about helping students thrive academically.
Beyond the classroom, VCSU offers various extracurricular activities and resources to enhance students' overall experience. Students can participate in numerous student organizations, clubs, and athletic programs, fostering a sense of community and promoting leadership skills. Additionally, the university provides career development opportunities through internships, cooperative education, and networking events to prepare students for their future careers.
Overall, Valley City State University provides a nurturing and inclusive environment for students to grow intellectually and personally. The university's commitment to academic excellence, technology integration, and student support make it an ideal choice for individuals seeking a well-rounded education and a vibrant campus experience.
Located in Valley City, ND, Valley City State University is a public four-year college. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 99%. The freshman retention rate at Valley City State University is 71% and the six-year graduation rate is 53%.
To find out more about what Valley City State University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
1,651
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
53%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to learn as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to improve your chances of being accepted. Here are the most essential facts you need to know about admission policy and requirements at Valley City State University.
According to the newest data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 321 in 2025. Valley City State University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively noncompetitive.
Test Scores
5.2% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 63% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 23% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between between 1,200 and 1,399, 47% between 1,000 and 1,199 and 28% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 2, 23 between 24-29, 46 in the range between 18-23, and 28 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the accepted students in 2025 was 20 while the average GPA was 3.35. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Valley City State University; the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 490 for the admitted students, while the average SAT Math score was 490.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Valley City State University was 71%, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience at this institution.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 53%.
Student Body
Choosing a school that is the right fit for you is not a simple task. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution enrolled 1,806 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 35% for that year. There was a total of 1,651 undergrad students, including 29 international students. 141 students were admitted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 389 male and 505 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Valley City State University.
This school had 8 Asian students and 37 Afro-American students in 2025. 31 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 55 identified with more than one race. The school also had 7 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 12 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 10 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you submit an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at Valley City State University that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $6,982, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $12,220 for students coming from out of state. For international students, tuition fees at this school stood at $12,220, as well. Full-time students in 2025 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,026.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $12,220 | $2,026 | $14,246 |
| In-State | $6,982 | $2,026 | $9,008 |
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another significant expense. Most students have to pay about $1,000 for books and supplies during their time at Valley City State University.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Valley City State University was $9,138 per academic year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school came to $4,363, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $4,363.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 6,982 |
| Room and Board | $ 9,138 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,000 |
| Total Expense | $ 17,120 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial support for students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at Valley City State University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 97 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $13,728 in financial help.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
379 students obtained some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Valley City State University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 400. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $1,448,396, and state $777,035. The students of Valley City State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $936,166, and external in the amount of $211,148.
$3,499
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
65 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2025. 26 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $1,448,396 while the state aid is $8,762. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $566,292. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $247,646 USD.
Majors
Faculty
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2025, this ratio at Valley City State University was 11:1. That means that there were 11 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 148 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 56 male and 92 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Valley City State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Valley City State University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some info about social life at Valley City State University.
Its campus is 55 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
Based on the most up-to-date information available, there are 38 open-membership organizations at Valley City State University. The student organization that has the biggest membership is CRU, followed by Trap Shooting Club and e-Sports. Other popular organizations among the students at Valley City State University are Campus Activities Board and Student Senate.
If you are interested in music, you can join the Valley City State University band or chorus. For those interested in acting, there is a drama club you can become part of.
Student Services
At Valley City State University, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a 24-hour security patrol. There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at Valley City State University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Valley City State University.
Career Counselling
At Valley City State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Valley City State University is located in Valley City, ND.
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Valley City State University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Valley City State University is 99%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Valley City State University is 71%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
