Skip to content
degreedividend.
ROI calculator
Independent college researchBuilt on federal dataNo rankings for sale

Head-to-head comparison

University of North Dakota vs Valley City State University: which has better ROI?

Public, Grand Forks ND · vs · Public, Valley City ND

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Grand Forks, ND

University of North Dakota

Net price / year
$18,551
Earnings, 10 years
$63,552
Payback
4.9 yrs

Option B Valley City, ND

Valley City State University

Net price / year
$11,890
Earnings, 10 years
$52,725
Payback
10.9 yrs
The verdict

University of North Dakota has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $74,204 in 4.9 years versus 10.9 years at Valley City State University, on median earnings of $63,552 vs $52,725 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUniversity of North DakotaValley City State University
Net price / yr$18,551$11,890
Total net cost$74,204$47,560
Median earnings, 10 yrs$63,552$52,725
Median debt$22,057$20,369
Payback4.9 yrs10.9 yrs
20-year net return$229,636$39,740

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, University of North Dakota or Valley City State University?

Valley City State University, at $11,890 a year after aid versus $18,551 — a gap of $6,661 a year, or $26,644 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do University of North Dakota or Valley City State University graduates earn more?

University of North Dakota graduates report a median $63,552 ten years after entry, $10,827 more than the $52,725 at Valley City State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

The short answer

Which leaves students with less debt, University of North Dakota or Valley City State University?

Valley City State University: its completers carry a median $20,369 in federal loans versus $22,057 at University of North Dakota, a difference of $1,688. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

60% of students finish at University of North Dakota, against 53% at Valley City State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

University of North Dakota vs Valley City State University: frequently asked questions

Is University of North Dakota or Valley City State University a better value?
University of North Dakota. It clears its $74,204 net cost in about 4.9 years versus 10.9 years at Valley City State University, on median earnings of $63,552 vs $52,725 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of North Dakota or Valley City State University?
Valley City State University: $11,890/yr net price after aid versus $18,551/yr at University of North Dakota — a difference of $6,661 a year, or about $26,644 over four years.
Do University of North Dakota or Valley City State University graduates earn more?
University of North Dakota graduates earn a median $63,552 ten years after entry, versus $52,725 at Valley City State University — a $10,827 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.