Summary

Fall Enrollment: 1,806 (2024-2025)
Types of Degrees: Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, Certificate, Master's Degree, Post Bachelors
Number of Programs: 88
Average Class Size: 13
Student to Faculty Ratio: 11 to 1

Campus Life

Jumpstart your future and become part of the Valley City State University family. Get ready to make lifelong friends and take charge of your education.

Founded as a teacher’s college in 1890, VCSU focuses on excellence in teaching in a student-focused, learner-centered environment. Students learn from highly-qualified professors focused on student growth and success. VCSU embraces students from all backgrounds, acquainting them with new people and new ideas. VCSU continues to be the premier place to start your journey and learn something you love.

Do what you love here. Join a club to share your passion with others. Participate in intramural teams, join a musical group, or simply curl up in the Student Center with a good book from the Allen Memorial Library and a cup of coffee from Viking Grounds. We’re ready to help you recognize your potential and reach your goals.

Location

Valley City is located in the beautiful Sheyenne River Valley. Known as the “City of Bridges,” it is home to 6,600 people and is the seat of Barnes County. The Sheyenne River flows through town, creating a picturesque, unique landscape complete with a beautiful downtown district, many restaurants, and numerous parks. There are numerous outdoor activities in Valley City and city amenities including a movie theater, bowling alley, coffee shop and more. The Valley City area combines peaceful small-town life with interstate access. The locale, rich in history and North Dakota lore, provides many opportunities for outdoor activities year-round, including outstanding hunting and fishing.

The Area

Fargo/Moorhead and Jamestown are a short drive from Valley City. Both cities offer extended access to large retail stores and chain restaurants. VCSU maintains strong working ties professionally and academically with North Dakota State University, and with the University of Jamestown. VCSU also keeps a good-natured rivalry steeped in tradition alive with Jamestown.

Admission Requirements

VCSU welcomes applications from all students who believe they can succeed at the college/university level.

As a freshman applicant, your admission to VCSU is based on your cumulative high school GPA, along with the successful completion of high school core courses.

Students who do not meet the admissions guidelines will be evaluated on an individual basis, taking into consideration GPA, the academic rigor of coursework, advanced courses, and grade trends, among other factors.

Please visit www.vcsu.edu/enrollmentservices for more information.

Accreditation

VCSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

2023-24 Academic Year Costs

TUITION: 220.62 per credit hour

FEES: $1,894 full-time yearly**

ROOM & BOARD**: $7,162

* North Dakota full-time resident rates; non-resident rates are available at www.ndus.edu. Room and board rates assume double occupancy and 15 meals per week, with $150 flex cash.
**Includes a laptop computer and software, and Wellness Center membership.

Scholarships

The VCSU scholarship program is the strongest in the region, and offers several internal scholarship opportunities for students. Academic scholarships range from one-time awards of $1,500 to annual awards over four years totaling almost $40,000.

Scholarship candidates are evaluated based on their cumulative 9–12 grade GPA, with help from their ACT or SAT scores, if included. These scholarships, made possible through the generous donations of friends and alumni, are available to students enrolled in full-time, on-campus courses at VCSU. For more information, visit scholarships.vcsu.edu.

Priority Deadlines

SCHOLARSHIPS: Open

FAFSA: February 15

HOUSING & ADMISSIONS: Open

Types of Distance Education

VCSU offers a host of online programs for distance students, including the following undergraduate majors:

  • Bachelor of Applied Science - Management
  • Business Administration
  • Business Education
  • Business Process Integration Management
  • Career and Technical Education
  • English and English Education
  • History and History Education
  • Mathematics and Mathematics Education
  • Music
  • Communication
  • Social Science
  • Technology Education

Three graduate programs are also available completely online:

  • The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program offers individuals an opportunity to earn a teaching degree and a license to teach in one of 12 secondary education majors.
  • Master of Science in Business Information Systems
  • The Master’s Degree in Education (M.Ed.) program includes concentrations in:
    • Elementary Education
    • English Education
    • Library and Information Technologies
    • Teaching English Language Learners
    • Teaching and Technology
    • Technology Education

VCSU also offers several online minors and certificates, including:

  • Library Media
  • Psychology
  • Teaching English Language Learners (Minor) or ESL Endorsement
  • M.Ed. Library and Information Technologies Certificate
  • M.Ed. Teaching English Language Learners Certificate (ELL)
  • Technology Education
  • Customer Relationship Management Certificate
  • Enterprise Applications Certificate

Why Choose VCSU

Points of Pride

  • In 2024, U.S. News named VCSU #1 public regional college in North Dakota and #2 public regional college in the Midwest. VCSU has been ranked for 26 consecutive years.
  • VCSU was the second laptop university in the nation and continues to lead the way in the incorporation of technology into teaching and learning. In 2021, VCSU celebrated 25 years of being a laptop university.

Why Choose VCSU

Outstanding Learning Environment: VCSU is a laptop campus; every full-time student receives either a Macbook or HP laptop equipped with the latest multimedia technology and enjoys advanced educational technology throughout campus.

Personable Campus: The VCSU student-faculty ratio is 11:1, among the best in the nation. Students benefit from the attention of faculty and staff who get to know them by name.

Cutting-Edge Facilities:

  • The Rhoades Science Center houses high-tech laboratory spaces and spacious classrooms to be used by the VCSU Science and Math departments.
  • The Gaukler Family Wellness Center was built in 2016, offers workout and educational spaces for VCSU students, faculty, staff, and Valley City community members.
  • The brand new Center for the Fine Arts has state-of-the-art band and choral practice spaces in addition to innovative art workspaces like a woodshop, graphic design lab, and digital photography lab, all for use by the VCSU Music and Art departments. The building is a $32 million effort and officially opened in 2023.

Athletics: A member of the North Star Athletic Association, VCSU offers:

  • Men’s Football
  • Men’s Baseball
  • Men’s Basketball
  • Men’s Cross Country
  • Men’s Track and Field
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Volleyball
  • Women’s Softball
  • Women’s Basketball
  • Women’s Cross Country
  • Women’s Track and Field
  • Women’s Golf

Attractive Transfer Policies: Credits from other NCA-accredited institutions typically transfer directly to meet VCSU core or major requirements. Transfer students can complete degree programs conveniently and cost-effectively.

VCSU - Amber

Amber Kologi

Amber Kologi is a dual science major focusing in the areas of Biology and Fisheries & Wildlife. The sophomore, who calls Rochert, Minn. home, gets to spend time in her happy place as student worker in the VCSU Greenhouse.

“I loved the hometown feel of our campus and everyone being so helpful and nice. It was comforting to know people cared about you when you were a scared freshman. I love how in only a couple weeks, you can know almost everyone on campus and be friends,” she said. “I would like to be either a Wildlife Biologist or a Botanist somewhere in North Dakota or Minnesota.”

VCSU

Valley City State University

101 College Street SW
Valley City, ND 58072
800.532.8641
www.vcsu.edu

Enrollment Services

Erin Heide
701.845.7101
enrollment.services@vcsu.edu

Financial Aid

Marcia Pritchert
701.845.7542
marcia.pritchert@vcsu.edu