Carleton College vs. MSU Moorhead

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Minnesota State University Moorhead in Moorhead, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Minnesota State University Moorhead is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (4,386 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Minnesota State University Moorhead is in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1.

Carleton College vs. MSU Moorhead Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College or MSU Moorhead? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Minnesota State University Moorhead than Carleton College ($18,221 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota State University Moorhead are 37.5% lower than at Carleton College ($10,994 vs. $17,586).
• Carleton College is 560.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU Moorhead (about $58,464 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 560.6% higher at Carleton College than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (about $58,464 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minnesota State University Moorhead than at Carleton College (91% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 781.9% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students ($56,846 vs. $6,446).

Carleton College vs. MSU Moorhead Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carleton College or MSU Moorhead? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MSU Moorhead and Carleton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 320 points higher than at MSU Moorhead (1190).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 12 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 21 at MSU Moorhead).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 1450/1560; Minnesota State University Moorhead 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; Minnesota State University Moorhead 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; MSU Moorhead - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• 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 (58.8%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 27.3% at MSU Moorhead.

Carleton College vs. MSU Moorhead Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College and MSU Moorhead? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Carleton College's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Minnesota State University Moorhead's (45%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $23,200 more per year than MSU Moorhead graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $42,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $2,776 lower median loan debt than MSU Moorhead graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,276).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.