Valley City State University

Public · Moderately Selective · ND

Photo: Richard N Horne (CC BY-SA 4.0)

School data & stats

TypePublic

LocationND · Midwest

SettingRural

Undergrads958

Student:faculty12:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate37.3%

6-yr grad rate53.3%

Drop-out rate29.1%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$9k

Out-of-state tuition$14k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity19.8%

Gender diversity53.5%

International3%

Identity—

Overview

Valley City State University is a public university in Valley City, North Dakota, part of the North Dakota University System, sited on the Sheyenne River southeast of Fargo. It began as a normal school and still carries that identity forward through a strong education program, on a campus small enough that most students and faculty know each other by name.

Academics

Teacher preparation remains the anchor program, with education students placed in area schools well before their formal student teaching. The university was also an early adopter of one-to-one laptop programs for students, a legacy that still shows up in how technology is folded into coursework across majors like business, health, and exercise science. Music and career and technical programs round out a curriculum built around small sections and direct faculty contact.

Campus & student life

The campus sits along the Sheyenne River in a small city, giving it a quiet, close-knit feel rather than a sprawling university atmosphere. Athletics and music ensembles draw heavy student participation given the school's size, and many students stay closely tied to nearby North Dakota communities.

Worth knowing

As one of the smallest campuses in the North Dakota system, Valley City State keeps costs and class sizes down, and its education and technology-integration reputation make it a practical choice for students aiming at teaching careers in the state.

vcsu.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate99.1%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 830–1070 · ACT 17–24

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying