Head-to-head · 2026
North Dakota State University-Main Campus vs Valley City State University
Compare average net price ($15,543 at North Dakota State University-Main Campus; $11,890 at Valley City State University), ROI score (10.00 vs 11.09), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($62,203 vs $52,725), and admissions selectivity (95% acceptance at North Dakota State University-Main Campus; 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 | North Dakota State University-Main Campus | Valley City State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.00 | 11.09 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $15,543 | $11,890 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $62,172 | $47,560 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $11,110 | $8,514 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,764 | $13,544 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $62,203 ✓ | $52,725 |
| Acceptance rate | 95% | 99.1% |
| Graduation rate | 63.9% ✓ | 53.3% |
| Retention rate | 78.4% ✓ | 70.9% |
| Median debt | $23,199 | $20,369 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 9,471 | 958 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1150 | 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 | North Dakota State University-Main Campus | Valley City State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,370 | $7,879 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,343 | $7,787 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,923 | $10,841 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,082 | $12,538 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $18,856 | $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 | North Dakota State University-Main Campus | Valley City State University |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 2.7% | 30.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 0.3% | 28.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5.4% | 6.4% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.2% | 7.6% |
| Music | 1.1% | 6.4% |
| Psychology, General | 3.3% | 2% |
| Biology, General | 3.2% | 0.7% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 1.8% | 1.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Valley City State University reports the lower average net price by $3,653 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $14,612 difference over four years ($47,560 vs $62,172).
North Dakota State University-Main Campus reports $9,478 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($62,203 vs $52,725). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 78.4% at North Dakota State University-Main Campus and 70.9% at Valley City State University. Median federal debt among completers is $23,199 vs $20,369, respectively.
8 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
North Dakota State University-Main Campus vs Valley City State University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Valley City State University is cheaper — average net price $11,890 per year vs $15,543 at North Dakota State University-Main Campus. The annual difference of $3,653 adds up to about $14,612 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $62,203 vs $52,725 at Valley City State University. The gap in the federal data is $9,478. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus is more selective at 95% acceptance vs 99.1% at Valley City State University.
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.