Carleton College vs. MSU Moorhead

Should I go to Carleton College or Minnesota State University Moorhead? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Carleton College or MSU Moorhead is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Carleton College vs. Minnesota State University Moorhead comparison
Carleton College Minnesota State University Moorhead College 3 College 4
Carleton College Minnesota State University Moorhead
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Overview

Carleton College MSU Moorhead
Location Northfield, MN Moorhead, MN
Setting Distant Town Midsize Suburban
Enrollment 2,059 4,682
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #39 #608
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website carleton.edu mnstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Carleton College MSU Moorhead
Tuition (In State) $62,244 $8,838
Tuition (Out of State) $62,244 $17,674
Room & Board $15,990 $10,104
Avg Net Price $31,494 $17,939
Avg Grant Aid $46,821 $6,905
% Receiving Grant Aid 60% 96%

Admission

Carleton College MSU Moorhead
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,583 3,898
Admitted 1,427 2,207
Acceptance Rate 16.6% 56.6%
Enrolled % 37.3% 28.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.9 3.52
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Elite Moderate
Applicant Competition Very High Low
ACT Range 32/35 18/24
SAT Range 1430/1550 1080/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025

Academics

Carleton College MSU Moorhead
Student to Faculty Ratio 8:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Physical Sciences (14%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

Carleton College MSU Moorhead
Graduation Rate 93% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $65,600 $42,400
Making Student Loan Payments 92% 65%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $22,276
Median Loan Payment $201 $230

Diversity

Carleton College MSU Moorhead
% Men 50% 35%
% Women 50% 65%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 78%
% Black 4% 3%
% Hispanic 7% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 10% 7%
% Unknown Race 2% 4%

Students

Carleton College MSU Moorhead
% In-State 17% 68%
% Out-of-State 73% 28%

Campus

Carleton College MSU Moorhead
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Minnesota State University Moorhead is larger than than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (4,682 students vs. 2,059 students)

Carleton College vs. MSU Moorhead Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or MSU Moorhead?

  • Carleton College is 604.3% more expensive to attend than MSU Moorhead for in-state tuition ($62,244.00 vs. $8,838.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 252.2% higher at Carleton College than Minnesota State University Moorhead ($62,244.00 vs. $17,674.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Minnesota State University Moorhead than Carleton College ($17,939 vs. $31,494)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota State University Moorhead are 58.3% lower than costs at Carleton College ($10,104 vs. $15,990)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Minnesota State University Moorhead than Carleton College (96% vs. 60%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 578.1% larger than aid received Minnesota State University Moorhead ($46,821 vs. $6,905)

Carleton College vs. MSU Moorhead Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carleton College or MSU Moorhead? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between MSU Moorhead or Carleton College .

  • The average SAT score at Carleton College (1400) is 351 points higher than at MSU Moorhead (1049)
  • Incoming Carleton College students have a 8 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at MSU Moorhead (23)
  • Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at MSU Moorhead (3.52)
  • MSU Moorhead has a higher acceptance rate (56.6%) than Carleton College (16.6%)

Carleton College vs. MSU Moorhead Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Carleton College or MSU Moorhead? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between MSU Moorhead and Carleton College.

  • The graduation rate at Carleton College is higher than Minnesota State University Moorhead (93% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Carleton College earn on average $23,200 more per year than MSU Moorhead graduates after ten years. ($65,600 vs. $42,400)
  • Carleton College students graduate with a $2,776 lower median federal student loan debt than MSU Moorhead graduates. ($19,500 vs. $22,276)
  • Carleton College graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than MSU Moorhead graduates. ($201 vs. $230)
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Moorhead students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/