Valley City State University Athletics

Valley City State competes in the NJCAA, which means junior college-level athletics despite being a four-year university. About 31% of the 918 students participate in varsity sports across 10 teams, creating an unusually high athlete-to-student ratio. The Vikings distribute $631,164 in athletic scholarships among their 282 athletes. NJCAA competition typically features less intense recruiting and smaller crowds than NCAA Division I, but offers more athletic opportunities than Division III. The athletic program serves as a major campus activity in this remote North Dakota town of fewer than 7,000 residents. Valley City State's athletic teams provide one of the few entertainment options in the area. The high participation rate reflects both the school's small size and the importance of athletics to campus life in rural settings.