MSU Billings vs Valley City State University (VCSU)
Montana State University Billings and Valley City State University, both public institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. MSU Billings boasts a higher acceptance rate (96%) compared to Valley City State's 88%, making it a more accessible option. While MSU Billings excels in fields like Business, Education, and Nursing, Valley City State shines in Agriculture, Business, and Education. MSU Billings' larger student body reflects its urban setting, while Valley City State's smaller size fosters a close-knit community. With MSU Billings' higher graduation rate (53%) edging out Valley City State's 48%, both universities prioritize student success. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Montana State University Billings |
![]() Valley City State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Billings, Montana | Valley City, North Dakota |
Campus setting | City: 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 | 57.0% | 61.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | Open Admission | 81.4% |
Application fees | $40 |
Undergraduate:
$35
Graduate:
$35
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SAT range | N/A | 935 - 1190 |
ACT range | N/A | 17 - 23 |
Students submitting SAT score | 7.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 68.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 442 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 360 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 196 | |
Yield rate | 54.4% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | |
High school GPA | N/A | Required |
Recommendation letters | N/A | Not required |
High school transcript | N/A | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | N/A | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$20,258
Out of state:
$33,588
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In state:
$20,016
Out of state:
$24,790
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Average net price | $12,626 | $13,243 |
Tuition |
In state:
$4,485
Out of state:
$17,678
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In state:
$6,364
Out of state:
$11,138
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,096
Meal plan:
$3,860
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Room/dormitory:
$2,505
Meal plan:
$4,414
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
85.0%
Average amount $5,151 |
99.0%
Average amount $5,907 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
42.0%
Average amount $4,398 |
66.0%
Average amount $4,794 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $10,623 |
17.0%
Average amount $6,743 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,728
Men 35.8% Women 64.2% |
1,523
Men 41.8% Women 58.2% |
Graduate students |
386
Men 23.6% Women 76.4% |
163
Men 32.5% Women 67.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 11.6% | 36.9% |
International students | 1.6% | 1.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 480 | 462 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Montana Washington California Wyoming Idaho | North Dakota Minnesota Alaska Hawaii Colorado |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 28.1% | 53.2% |
Dropout rate | 41.6% | 17.9% |
Transferred out | 25.2% | 28.9% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Services, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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