MSU Moorhead vs Valley City State University (VCSU)

Minnesota State University Moorhead and Valley City State University, both located in the heart of the Northern Plains, offer distinct educational experiences for students seeking higher education. While they share a commitment to academic excellence and student success, these institutions differ in several key aspects. This side-by-side comparison delves into the acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates of both universities, providing valuable insights for prospective students. Whether you're drawn to the vibrant urban setting of Moorhead or the charming small-town atmosphere of Valley City, this comprehensive analysis will help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
Minnesota State University Moorhead logo

Minnesota State University Moorhead

Valley City State University logo

Valley City State University

Overview

Location Moorhead, Minnesota Valley City, North Dakota
Campus setting Suburb: Midsize Town: Remote
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 69.0% 61.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 71.7% 81.4%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $20

Graduate: $35
Undergraduate: $35

Graduate: $35
SAT range 1040 - 1180 935 - 1190
ACT range 19 - 25 17 - 23
Students submitting SAT score 2.0% 7.0%
Students submitting ACT score 69.0% 68.0%
Total number of applicants 3,143 442
Total number of admissions given out 2,254 360
Admitted students who chose to enroll 613 196
Yield rate 27.2% 54.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $23,884

Out of state: $31,980
In state: $20,016

Out of state: $24,790
Average net price $17,254 $13,243
Tuition
In state: $8,096

Out of state: $16,192
In state: $6,364

Out of state: $11,138
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $6,440

Meal plan: $3,390
Room/dormitory: $2,505

Meal plan: $4,414
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

85.0%
Average amount $5,127
99.0%
Average amount $5,907
Students receiving federal student loan 62.0%
Average amount $5,197
66.0%
Average amount $4,794
Students taking out private loans 24.0%
Average amount $9,822
17.0%
Average amount $6,743

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 4,026
Men 37.7% Women 62.3%
1,523
Men 41.8% Women 58.2%
Graduate students 1,062
Men 28.0% Women 72.0%
163
Men 32.5% Women 67.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Very Low
Very Low
Out-of-state students N/A 36.9%
International students 3.0% 1.3%
Campus local/setting Suburb: Midsize Town: Remote
Dormitory capacity 1,641 462
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A North Dakota Minnesota Alaska Hawaii Colorado

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Education
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Communication and Journalism
  • Education
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Business
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Liberal Arts
Students to faculty ratio 18:1 13:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 56.9% 53.2%
Dropout rate 17.9% 17.9%
Transferred out 24.1% 28.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,373
  • Year 2: $64,865
  • Year 3: $73,641
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,801
  • Year 2: $64,865
  • Year 3: $70,289
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $51,890
  • Year 2: $66,325
  • Year 3: $66,636
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,508
  • Year 2: $46,999
  • Year 3: $53,464
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $49,137
  • Year 2: $51,690
  • Year 3: $51,598
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,524
  • Year 2: $48,600
  • Year 3: $50,567
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,403
  • Year 2: $42,309
  • Year 3: $46,977
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,318
  • Year 2: $41,689
  • Year 3: $46,403
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,016
  • Year 2: $45,500
  • Year 3: $45,809
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $23,835
  • Year 2: $25,774
  • Year 3: $44,558
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $50,075
  • Year 2: $53,775
  • Year 3: $56,925
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,447
  • Year 2: $43,000
  • Year 3: $45,538
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,584
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: $43,994
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,217
  • Year 2: $37,537
  • Year 3: $43,180
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $31,083
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: $41,045
Human Services, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: N/A

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