Gustavus Adolphus College vs. MSU Moorhead

Comparable Facts

Compare Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, 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 Gustavus Adolphus College based on total student enrollment (4,386 students vs. 1,906 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gustavus Adolphus College is located in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting); Minnesota State University Moorhead is in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Gustavus Adolphus 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: Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1; Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. MSU Moorhead Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College ($18,221 vs. $26,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota State University Moorhead are 6.9% lower than at Gustavus Adolphus College ($10,994 vs. $11,804).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is 437.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU Moorhead (about $45,648 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 437.7% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (about $45,648 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 543% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students ($41,450 vs. $6,446).

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. MSU Moorhead Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMinnesota State University Moorhead 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMinnesota State University Moorhead 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional; MSU Moorhead - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gustavus Adolphus College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at MSU Moorhead (3.52).
• Gustavus Adolphus College has a higher acceptance rate (61%) than MSU Moorhead (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.2% at Gustavus Adolphus College vs. 27.3% at MSU Moorhead.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. MSU Moorhead Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gustavus Adolphus 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).

• Gustavus Adolphus College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Minnesota State University Moorhead's (45%).
• Graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than MSU Moorhead graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $42,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates have a $4,724 lower median loan debt than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($22,276 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MSU Moorhead graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Moorhead students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.