Valley City State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Valley City State University charges a net price of $11,890/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $47,560. Graduates earn a median $52,725 ten years after entry, $4,365/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 10.9 years — a 20-year net return of $39,740, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Valley City State University's 10.9-year payback ranks #827 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 35% of them, and #7 of 17 in North Dakota.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $11,890/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $47,560 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $52,725 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $4,365/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $20,369 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 10.9 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $39,740 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Valley City State University's own numbers. Net price $11,890 × 4 years = $47,560 total. Median earnings $52,725 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $4,365 a year of premium. $47,560 ÷ $4,365 = 10.9 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $39,740. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Valley City State University students graduate with?
A median $20,369 in federal loans among completers, or 39% of the $52,725 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Valley City State University students graduate?
53% finish their degree — 47% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $47,560 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $89,736 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Valley City State University expensive compared with other North Dakota colleges?
Its $11,890 net price runs $434 above the $11,456 median across the 17 North Dakota colleges we profile, or $1,736 more across the full degree.