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 |
![]() 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% |
![]() |
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 |
|
|
|
||
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 |
|
|
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)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
|
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)
|
Compare Similar Colleges
The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing
statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you
don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page.
There, you can search for the
specific colleges and initiate your comparison.
















































































