Head-to-head · 2026
Dakota College at Bottineau vs Valley City State University
Compare average net price ($10,039 at Dakota College at Bottineau; $11,890 at Valley City State University), ROI score (10.10 vs 11.09), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($40,576 vs $52,725), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Dakota College at Bottineau; 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 | Dakota College at Bottineau | Valley City State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.10 | 11.09 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $10,039 ✓ | $11,890 |
| 4-year avg net price | $40,156 ✓ | $47,560 |
| In-state tuition | $5,388 | $8,514 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,294 | $13,544 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $40,576 | $52,725 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 99.1% |
| Graduation rate | 48% | 53.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 63.3% | 70.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,507 ✓ | $20,369 |
| Enrollment | 399 | 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 | Dakota College at Bottineau | Valley City State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,225 ✓ | $7,879 |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,229 ✓ | $7,787 |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,476 ✓ | $10,841 |
| Family income $75–110k | $11,796 ✓ | $12,538 |
| Family income $110k+ | $16,037 | $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 | Dakota College at Bottineau | Valley City State University |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 39.3% | 7.6% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 4.6% | 0.2% |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | 0.9% | 2.4% |
| Marketing | 1.4% | 0.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Dakota College at Bottineau reports the lower average net price by $1,851 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $7,404 difference over four years ($40,156 vs $47,560).
Valley City State University reports $12,149 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($52,725 vs $40,576). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 63.3% at Dakota College at Bottineau and 70.9% at Valley City State University. Median federal debt among completers is $10,507 vs $20,369, respectively.
4 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.
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Frequently asked
Dakota College at Bottineau vs Valley City State University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Dakota College at Bottineau is cheaper — average net price $10,039 per year vs $11,890 at Valley City State University. The annual difference of $1,851 adds up to about $7,404 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Valley City State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $52,725 vs $40,576 at Dakota College at Bottineau. The gap in the federal data is $12,149. 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.