Summary

Fall Enrollment: 1,658 (2022-2023)
Types of Degrees: Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, Certificate, Master's Degree, Post Bachelors
Number of Programs: 82
Average Class Size: 13
Student to Faculty Ratio: 13 to 1

Campus Life

Join us on North Dakota’s most beautiful campus and become part of our Valley City State University family. Get ready to make lifelong friends and take charge of your education. VCSU is the launchpad that will propel you into the future.

Founded as a teacher’s college in 1890, VCSU boasts the top elementary education program in the country, and enjoys excellence in teaching all disciplines in a student-focused, learner-centered environment. Learn from highly qualified professors who will expand your ways of thinking and doing. Our campus 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, the “City of Bridges,” 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. The Valley City area combines peaceful small-town life with interstate access. Valley City is also the gateway to the Sheyenne River Valley. 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 both just a drive away from Valley City, offering 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 keeps a good-natured rivalry steeped in tradition alive..

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 and ACT/SAT score, 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 ACT/SAT scores, 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), the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education–American Association of School Librarians (NCATE–AASL), and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

2021-22 Academic Year Costs

TUITION: 212.13 per credit hour

FEES: $1,823 full-time yearly**

ROOM & BOARD**: $6,803

* 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:

  • Business Education
  • Business Process Integration Management
  • Career and Technical Education
  • Communication
  • English Education
  • History
  • History Education
  • Music
  • Social Science
  • Social Science Education
  • Technology Education

Two 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.
  • 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 minor
  • Psychology minor
  • Teaching English Language Learners minor
  • M.Ed. Teaching English Language Learners certificate
  • M.Ed. Library and Information Technologies certificate
  • Customer Relationship Management certificate
  • Enterprise Applications certificate

Why Choose VCSU

Points of Pride

  • In 2021, 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 24 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 13:1, 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 $12 million renovation of the building was finished in 2012.
  • 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 center was a $16 million project.
  • 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 will open in January 2022

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 - Taylor

Kyley Lauf '22

Health Science
Minot, ND

“VCSU is more than just a place to get an education. It has given me many opportunities that I don't think any other university could have offered. It has allowed me to form personal relationships with staff and coaches, and I have found lifelong friends here. These relationships have let me continue to excel and succeed both inside and outside of the classroom. I will always appreciate the welcoming atmosphere at VCSU, where we truly ‘all row.’”

VCSU

Valley City State University

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

Enrollment Services

Charlene Stenson
701.845.7101
enrollment.services@vcsu.edu

Financial Aid

Marcia Pritchert
701.845.7542
marcia.pritchert@vcsu.edu