Hotline // September 30, 2026

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

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

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.

“Inhabiting an Ecological In-Between” Artist Talk set for Oct. 5

An artist talk and reception for visiting artist Katie Simmons’ show, “Inhabiting an Ecological In-Between” will take place Oct. 5. The talk will take place at 3 p.m. in the Robinson Center for the Arts Choir Room with a reception to follow in the lobby.

The exhibit is open to the public August 24 through Oct. 8 during regular gallery hours, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. A virtual exhibit will be available on the VCSU Art Department’s YouTube channel.

Simmons creates deeply textured pieces combining cloth, stitching, and images of human bodies and the natural world. Images are built in layers of ballpoint pen drawings and natural pigments extracted from plants, lichens, algae, and fungi. Pigments are allowed to react with the material with little direction, becoming partners in the making process.

Simmons brings a background in wildlife biology and experiences as an assault survivor to her creative process, investigating “death, decay, growth, and parallels between the exploitation of the natural world and female bodies.”

For more information about Katie Simmons’ artwork and process, visit https://www.katiesimmons.com.

BIOL 411 Students Plant Trees on Campus

On Sept. 21, students in BIOL 411: Wildlife Management planted trees on the VCSU campus. A total of 12 trees were planted on campus this fall as part of a $25,000 Emerald Ash Borer Mitigation Grant awarded to Bob Anderson, Ph.D., professor for fisheries and wildlife science, through the North Dakota Forest Service.

Across Valley City, the grant supported the planting of 58 trees and the removal of 29 publicly owned green ash trees. Replanting with a diverse mix of species will help lessen the impact of emerald ash borer (EAB). EAB is an invasive beetle whose larvae feed beneath the bark of ash trees, eventually killing them.

Fall is an excellent time to plant trees, and many local nurseries offer them at reduced prices this time of year.

Viking Sports Update

FOOTBALL
The Valley City State Viking football team hit the road this weekend for a game in Redding, Calif. versus Simpson University. In a back and forth, high scoring game, the Red Hawks scored a late touchdown to pull out a 50-45 win. Read more. 

VOLLEYBALL
The Viking volleyball team was also on the road this past weekend with matches at Dakota State and at Bellevue Friday and Saturday respectively. The Vikings dropped both matches and now head home for Frontier Conference matches with Bismarck State and Dickinson State. Read more. 

CROSS COUNTRY
The VCSU Cross Country team was in Sioux Falls, S.D. for the Augustana Invitational and it was another great showing for the young Viking runners. Sophomore Frida Barrera broke the school record in the 6K women’s race for her effort; she was named the Frontier Conference Cross Country Runner of the Week. Read more. 

GOLF
The Viking golf team was in Minnesota for the Comet Invitational. It was a Frontier Conference tournament hosted by Mayville State that was held in Detroit Lakes. Coming off two great performances in the last two tournaments, the Vikings looked to continue the strong fall season. Sadie Neustel led the women, and Nick Meisch paced the men. Read more. Monday and Tuesday they were in Bismarck for the U-Mary Invite and Wednesday they are in Hawley, Minn. for a tournament hosted by Mayville State. Read more. 

SHOOTING SPORTS
The Viking Shooting Sports team had another successful weekend as they traveled west for the Dickinson State Collegiate Invite. Read more. Wednesday, they head to the USA CCTL Reserve Week 2 Competition. 

What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City...

Find out what’s happening at VCSU: https://www.vcsu.edu/news-events/

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