VALLEY CITY, N.D. (VCSU) – Valley City State University announced a 6 percent growth in enrollment Tuesday, setting another campus record with 1,854 students enrolled during the spring semester.
That shatters the previous spring enrollment record of 1,747 students set in 2024 and even breaks the overall enrollment record of 1,806 students set last fall. VCSU added 66 new full-time students during the spring semester, including 15 freshmen and 51 transfer students.
The record enrollment was fueled by growth in all major areas this spring. The number of full-time students is up 5 percent over last spring and is the second-highest number ever during the spring semester. The graduate programs saw a 23 percent increase in enrollment, growing to 146 students seeking a master’s degree.
Overall undergraduate enrollment is up 5 percent; the number of part-time students increased by 7 percent; and the university’s full-time equivalency grew by 7 percent to a record FTE of 1,223.
“We are thrilled to see growth in so many different areas of our university,” said VCSU president Alan LaFave. “Students have always been our top priority, and the continued growth and improved retention validates that we continue to put students first.”
“Students attending VCSU find a friendly campus that truly cares about their success,” LaFave continued. “To meet the changing needs of higher education, we continue to transform and adapt our course offerings, our degree options and the delivery modes by which students take their courses. Paired with our extremely affordable tuition rates, a VCSU education is a great fit for many types of students.”
The current in-state tuition for VCSU undergrads is just $6,619 for a 30-credit year. North Dakota students who receive a full Federal Pell Grant will have their entire yearly tuition covered. The VCSU Foundation has also played major role in making an education affordable, awarding nearly $2 million in scholarships this past year.
“In an increasingly cost-conscious society, Valley City State provides great value with a high-quality education at an affordable price. Students and their families continue to recognize the value of a VCSU degree,” said vice president for academic affairs Larry Brooks. “More than 70 percent of our students come from North Dakota, and we understand the important role we play in meeting workforce needs for our state.”
In 2010, VCSU’s spring enrollment was 1,034 total students. In the 15 years since, Valley City State has seen steady growth. Since 2010, the number of full-time students has grown by 30 percent and the overall campus headcount has grown 79 percent.
For more information about VCSU and its academic programs, visit www.vcsu.edu.