Northern Michigan University (NMU) vs Valley City State University (VCSU)

Northern Michigan University and Valley City State University, located in the picturesque regions of Michigan and North Dakota, respectively, offer distinct educational experiences. Northern Michigan University boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a more diverse student body, while Valley City State University maintains a smaller student population, fostering a close-knit community. Both universities offer a range of undergraduate programs, with Northern Michigan University excelling in fields like Business, Engineering, and Health Professions, and Valley City State University specializing in Education, Agriculture, and Liberal Arts. While Northern Michigan University boasts a higher graduation rate, Valley City State University offers a more affordable education. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Northern Michigan University logo

Northern Michigan University

Valley City State University logo

Valley City State University

Overview

Location Marquette, Michigan Valley City, North Dakota
Campus setting Town: Remote 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 72.0% 61.0%
Common app member Yes No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 71.3% 81.4%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $35

Graduate: $50
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 6,553 442
Total number of admissions given out 4,670 360
Admitted students who chose to enroll 1,496 196
Yield rate 32.0% 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: $26,076

Out of state: $31,572
In state: $20,016

Out of state: $24,790
Average net price $17,686 $13,243
Tuition
In state: $12,098

Out of state: $17,594
In state: $6,364

Out of state: $11,138
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $6,212

Meal plan: $5,700
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)

100.0%
Average amount $8,291
99.0%
Average amount $5,907
Students receiving federal student loan 60.0%
Average amount $4,882
66.0%
Average amount $4,794
Students taking out private loans 13.0%
Average amount $12,023
17.0%
Average amount $6,743

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 6,611
Men 41.4% Women 58.6%
1,523
Men 41.8% Women 58.2%
Graduate students 603
Men 31.8% Women 68.2%
163
Men 32.5% Women 67.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Very Low
Very Low
Out-of-state students 27.5% 36.9%
International students 1.2% 1.3%
Campus local/setting Town: Remote Town: Remote
Dormitory capacity 2,956 462
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Michigan Wisconsin Illinois Minnesota California North Dakota Minnesota Alaska Hawaii Colorado

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Liberal Arts
  • Education
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Business
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Liberal Arts
Students to faculty ratio 19:1 13:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 49.4% 53.2%
Dropout rate 48.5% 17.9%
Transferred out N/A 28.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,628
  • Year 2: $72,796
  • Year 3: $79,136
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
  • Year 1: $46,384
  • Year 2: $47,846
  • Year 3: $59,593
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $56,415
  • Year 3: $58,726
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $57,371
  • Year 2: $56,776
  • Year 3: $57,709
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,668
  • Year 2: $53,358
  • Year 3: $55,574
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $44,975
  • Year 2: $46,087
  • Year 3: $51,392
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,045
  • Year 2: $34,793
  • Year 3: $47,951
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,424
  • Year 2: $44,635
  • Year 3: $46,290
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,823
  • Year 2: $38,649
  • Year 3: $45,786
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,293
  • Year 2: $38,529
  • Year 3: $44,324
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