Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Valley City State University #1006 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,231 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Valley City State University in the 35.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Valley City State University #916 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Valley City State University's composite ranking reflects balanced performance across access, mobility, and affordability pillars. The institution's mobility outcomes stand out relative to regional peers, particularly for graduates entering education fields.
Valley City State University is a public master's university in Valley City, North Dakota, enrolling roughly 958 undergraduates. Azimuth ranks Valley City State University #1006 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution maintains a 70.9% freshman retention rate and a 53.3% six-year graduation rate, reflecting solid progress toward degree completion. Valley City State University draws a student population with meaningful economic and first-generation representation: 16.9% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 26.2% are first-generation college students. Azimuth ranks Valley City State University #832 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's dominant program family is Education, which aligns with regional workforce demand and shapes the earnings profile of its graduate cohort. What distinguishes Valley City State University is how consistently it delivers outcomes for the students it serves. Graduates earn about $5,231 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Valley City State University in the 35.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the university's focus on preparing students for stable, in-demand careers in education and related fields — outcomes that matter most to families seeking affordable pathways to reliable long-term financial security.
Valley City State University's published cost of attendance is $20,468. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that figure: low-income families pay approximately $7,879, middle-income families pay around $10,841, and higher-income families pay approximately $14,570. Azimuth ranks Valley City State University #154 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Valley City State University participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside state and institutional aid. The institution's affordability ranking reflects both the headline cost and the debt load graduates carry, shaped by the public tuition structure typical of regional public universities in the Upper Midwest. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,369, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $7,744; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $52,034, median federal debt of $20,369 projects to a monthly payment of about $230 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Valley City State University is a strong fit for students interested in education and related fields who want a small public university experience in ND. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $52,034, placing Valley City State University in the 11.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,231 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 35.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The aid structure supports access for Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 16.9% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 26.2% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $14,570, and low-income families pay a net price of approximately $7,879 after need-based aid. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 99.1% admit rate makes the application process moderately selective, and the program mix favors education and related fields — Education represents 55% of degrees. Students whose interests align with those areas will find strong outcomes relative to the state's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $35,041.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Valley City State University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
11 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
27 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
35 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
115 graduates
Human Services, General
9 graduates
Valley City State University's program mix is anchored in education and teacher-preparation fields—a signature aligned with the institution's regional mission as a public liberal arts university in North Dakota. Teacher Education is the largest program with 115 graduates, followed by Subject-Specific Teacher Education with 35 graduates, Business Administration with 27 graduates, Music, and Health/Medical Preparatory Programs.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 254 students annually, several deliver solid four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional labor-market demand. The earnings pattern reflects the institution's education-focused portfolio.
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management graduates earn median earnings of $69,799 four years after enrollment with 11 graduates, while Business Administration graduates earn $58,067 with 27 graduates. Subject-Specific Teacher Education delivers median earnings of $52,500, and Teacher Education graduates earn $48,841.
These outcomes are consistent with regional education and public-service sector compensation, where demand for qualified teachers and administrators remains steady across rural and small-city labor markets. The program-mix signature—dominated by Education at 55%, followed by Business at 12% and Arts at 9%—positions Valley City State as a teaching-focused institution with complementary liberal arts breadth.
This concentration in education and public-service pathways aligns with the [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/), where education and social-service fields show sustained regional hiring in North Dakota and the upper Midwest. For students seeking stable, locally rooted careers in education, administration, or community service, the program portfolio offers direct pathways to employment in sectors with predictable demand.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Valley City State University's published cost of attendance is $20,468. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that figure: low-income families pay approximately $7,879, middle-income families pay around $10,841, and higher-income families pay approximately $14,570.
Azimuth ranks Valley City State University #154 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Valley City State University participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside state and institutional aid. The institution's affordability ranking reflects both the headline cost and the debt load graduates carry, shaped by the public tuition structure typical of regional public universities in the Upper Midwest.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,369, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $7,744; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $52,034, median federal debt of $20,369 projects to a monthly payment of about $230 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Valley City State University graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $52,034, placing the institution in the 11.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,231 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Valley City State University in the 35.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Valley City State University #832 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Valley City State University's concentration in education and related fields.
Teacher Education is the largest program with 115 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $48,841, representing 1.0× the national benchmark for the field. The Subject-Specific Teacher Education program graduates 35 students earning median 4-year earnings of $52,500, while Business Administration with 27 graduates rounds out the institution's core academic portfolio.
These programs anchor Valley City State University's mission-driven focus on preparing educators and professionals for regional workforce needs.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Montevallo Similar quality tier (#29361 ranked) | AL | 54% | $42,957 | #29361 | Compare |
University Of Puerto Rico-Utuado Similar quality tier (#29411 ranked) | PR | 64% | $23,906 | #29411 | Compare |
University Of Akron Wayne College Similar quality tier in Midwest (#29329 ranked) | OH | 90% | $46,600 | #29329 | Compare |
Suny College At Potsdam Similar quality tier (#29324 ranked) | NY | 78% | $47,866 | #29324 | Compare |
New College Of Florida Similar quality tier (#29424 ranked) | FL | 73% | $48,082 | #29424 | Compare |
