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.
Montana State University Billings logo

Montana State University Billings

Valley City State University logo

Valley City State University

Overview

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%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate Open Admission 81.4%
Application fees $40
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: $20,258

Out of state: $33,588
In state: $20,016

Out of state: $24,790
Average net price $12,626 $13,243
Tuition
In state: $4,485

Out of state: $17,678
In state: $6,364

Out of state: $11,138
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $4,096

Meal plan: $3,860
Room/dormitory: $2,505

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

Financial Aid

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

Students and Campus

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
Very Low
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

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Liberal Arts
  • Business
  • Automotive Technology
  • Education
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Business
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Liberal Arts
Students to faculty ratio 15:1 13:1
Institutional accreditation Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

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)
  • Year 1: $58,668
  • Year 2: $58,402
  • Year 3: $56,921
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,844
  • Year 2: $39,369
  • Year 3: $45,907
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $34,616
  • Year 2: $32,284
  • Year 3: $35,732
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $33,524
  • Year 2: $29,250
  • Year 3: $34,494
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,992
  • Year 2: $43,993
  • Year 3: $33,515
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $31,890
  • Year 3: $33,438
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $31,495
  • Year 2: $29,685
  • Year 3: N/A
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,775
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,100
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • 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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