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U.S. News Names VCSU the #1 Public College in the Midwest

Sep 24, 2026

VCSU students walk along a sidewalk near a Valley City State University sign

Also Named #1 Best Value School for In-State Students

VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – U.S. News and World Report has named Valley City State University the No. 1 Public Regional College in the Midwest in its 2027 Best Colleges Rankings.

Released on Tuesday, the U.S. News Best Colleges Rankings evaluate colleges and universities across the United States on a variety of factors including academic quality, outcomes for graduating students, and peer assessments.

After several years being ranked No. 2 in the Midwest, VCSU has returned to the top of the list as the No. 1 Public Regional College in the 12-state region. U.S. News also named VCSU the No. 1 Best Value School for In-State Students in the Midwest. The Best Value School ranking is based on a combination of the school’s academic quality and the cost-of-attendance for in-state students.

“The value of a VCSU education is evident in the success of our graduates,” said Dr. Allen Burgad, Interim VCSU President. “Our combination of affordable tuition, close faculty mentorship, and real experiences outside of the classroom equip graduates to make an immediate impact and advance quickly in their chosen careers.”

VCSU also maintained its position as the Top Public Regional College in North Dakota for the sixth consecutive year and has now been named a U.S. News Best College for 29 straight years.

VCSU earned recognition from U.S. News in several key categories:

  • #1 Public Regional College in the Midwest
  • #1 Best Value School for In-State Students in the Midwest
  • #23 Regional College in the Midwest
  • #26 Best Value School in the Midwest
  • A Top Performer on Social Mobility

“Rankings like this provide validation for the work and care that our faculty and staff have for our students and our campus,” said Larry Brooks, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “We work extremely hard to provide an exceptional campus experience and take pride in seeing that recognized by others.”

Now in its 42nd year, the U.S. News rankings evaluate nearly 1,500 national colleges and universities using up to 17 measures of academic quality and graduate success. To learn more about the U.S. News Best Colleges, view the ranking methodology.