BSC-Bismarck vs Valley City State University (VCSU)

Bismarck State College and Valley City State University, both esteemed institutions in North Dakota, offer distinct educational experiences. Bismarck State College, with an acceptance rate of 100%, welcomes students from all backgrounds, while Valley City State University's 98% acceptance rate reflects its commitment to inclusivity. Bismarck State College's student body is predominantly female (62%), while Valley City State University boasts a more balanced gender ratio (52% female, 48% male). Both institutions offer a diverse range of programs, with Bismarck State College excelling in fields like Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, and Valley City State University specializing in Education, Health Professions and Related Programs, and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. With graduation rates of 34% and 30% respectively, both colleges are dedicated to supporting students in achieving their academic goals. Explore the comprehensive comparison table to discover more about these institutions and make an informed decision that aligns
Bismarck State College logo

Bismarck State College

Valley City State University logo

Valley City State University

Overview

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

Admission

Acceptance rate Open Admission 81.4%
Application fees $35
Undergraduate: $35

Graduate: $35
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

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $16,883

Out of state: $18,887
In state: $20,016

Out of state: $24,790
Average net price $10,249 $13,243
Tuition
In state: $4,007

Out of state: $6,011
In state: $6,364

Out of state: $11,138
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $3,649

Meal plan: $3,808
Room/dormitory: $2,505

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

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

61.0%
Average amount $3,903
99.0%
Average amount $5,907
Students receiving federal student loan 43.0%
Average amount $4,890
66.0%
Average amount $4,794
Students taking out private loans 8.0%
Average amount $8,086
17.0%
Average amount $6,743

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 3,549
Men 52.5% Women 47.5%
1,523
Men 41.8% Women 58.2%
Graduate students N/A 163
Men 32.5% Women 67.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Very Low
Very Low
Out-of-state students 5.2% 36.9%
International students 0.4% 1.3%
Campus local/setting City: Small Town: Remote
Dormitory capacity 425 462
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from North Dakota Minnesota South Dakota Montana Iowa North Dakota Minnesota Alaska Hawaii Colorado

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Engineering Technologies
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Construction Trades
  • Liberal Arts
  • Education
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Business
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Liberal Arts
Students to faculty ratio 14:1 13:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 52.6% 53.2%
Dropout rate 26.1% 17.9%
Transferred out 13.7% 28.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $94,930
  • Year 2: $104,749
  • Year 3: $113,181
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,379
  • Year 2: $83,669
  • Year 3: $94,725
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $81,394
  • Year 2: $76,773
  • Year 3: $87,805
Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $76,908
  • Year 2: $74,576
  • Year 3: $79,845
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,207
  • Year 2: $55,964
  • Year 3: $57,868
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
  • Year 1: $54,093
  • Year 2: $48,600
  • Year 3: $57,431
Agricultural Business and Management (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,724
  • Year 2: $48,823
  • Year 3: $43,880
Business/Commerce, General (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,353
  • Year 2: $33,687
  • Year 3: $37,018
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $30,254
  • Year 2: $28,500
  • Year 3: $36,803
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $31,670
  • Year 3: N/A
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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