Head-to-head · 2026
Bismarck State College vs Valley City State University
Compare average net price ($10,270 at Bismarck State College; $11,890 at Valley City State University), ROI score (13.21 vs 11.09), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($54,277 vs $52,725), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Bismarck State College; 99.1% at Valley City State University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Bismarck State College | Valley City State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 13.21 ✓ | 11.09 |
| Avg net price | $10,270 ✓ | $11,890 |
| 4-year avg net price | $41,080 ✓ | $47,560 |
| In-state tuition | $5,247 | $8,514 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,331 | $13,544 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $54,277 ✓ | $52,725 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 99.1% |
| Graduation rate | 47.2% | 53.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 76.8% ✓ | 70.9% |
| Median debt | $11,533 ✓ | $20,369 |
| Enrollment | 2,839 | 958 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1041 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Bismarck State College | Valley City State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,140 ✓ | $7,879 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,828 ✓ | $7,787 |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,524 ✓ | $10,841 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,160 ✓ | $12,538 |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,979 ✓ | $14,570 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Bismarck State College | Valley City State University |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 30.6% | 7.6% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 0.2% | 30.9% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.4% | 6.4% |
| Human Services, General | 0.8% | 2% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 2% | 0.2% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 1% | 0.2% |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 0.6% | 0.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Bismarck State College reports the lower average net price by $1,620 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $6,480 difference over four years ($41,080 vs $47,560).
Bismarck State College reports $1,552 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($54,277 vs $52,725). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 76.8% at Bismarck State College and 70.9% at Valley City State University. Median federal debt among completers is $11,533 vs $20,369, respectively.
7 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Bismarck State College vs Valley City State University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Bismarck State College is cheaper — average net price $10,270 per year vs $11,890 at Valley City State University. The annual difference of $1,620 adds up to about $6,480 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Bismarck State College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $54,277 vs $52,725 at Valley City State University. The gap in the federal data is $1,552. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.