Bismarck State College vs Valley City State University: which has better ROI?
Bismarck State College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $20,540 in 3.5 years versus 10.9 years at Valley City State University, on median earnings of $54,277 vs $52,725 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Bismarck State College | Valley City State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,270 | $11,890 |
| Total net cost | $20,540 | $47,560 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,277 | $52,725 |
| Median debt | $11,533 | $20,369 |
| Payback | 3.5 yrs | 10.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $97,800 | $39,740 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Bismarck State College or Valley City State University?
Bismarck State College, at $10,270 a year after aid versus $11,890 — a gap of $1,620 a year, or $27,020 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Bismarck State College or Valley City State University graduates earn more?
Bismarck State College graduates report a median $54,277 ten years after entry, $1,552 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.
Which leaves students with less debt, Bismarck State College or Valley City State University?
Bismarck State College: its completers carry a median $11,533 in federal loans versus $20,369 at Valley City State University, a difference of $8,836. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
53% of students finish at Valley City State University, against 47% at Bismarck State College. 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.