M State vs. MSU Moorhead

Comparable Facts

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

Minnesota State Community and Technical College is larger than MSU Moorhead based on total student enrollment (5,645 students vs. 4,386 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minnesota State Community and Technical College is located in Fergus Falls, MN (Remote Town setting); Minnesota State University Moorhead is in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Minnesota State Community and Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minnesota State Community and Technical College 18:1; Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1.

M State vs. MSU Moorhead Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, M State 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 Community and Technical College than MSU Moorhead ($11,802 vs. $18,221).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota State Community and Technical College are 19.8% lower than at Minnesota State University Moorhead ($8,820 vs. $10,994).
• Minnesota State University Moorhead is 76.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than M State (about $4,520 more per year; $10,428.00 vs. $5,908.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.5% higher at MSU Moorhead than at Minnesota State Community and Technical College (about $4,520 more per year; $10,428.00 vs. $5,908.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minnesota State University Moorhead than at Minnesota State Community and Technical College (91% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students is 18.1% larger than aid received by Minnesota State Community and Technical College students ($6,446 vs. $5,456).

M State vs. MSU Moorhead Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, M State 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 M State.

• Minnesota State Community and Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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: M State - Open admission; MSU Moorhead - Test optional.

M State vs. MSU Moorhead Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for M State 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).

• Graduates from Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than M State graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,400 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota State Community and Technical College graduates have a $10,276 lower median loan debt than MSU Moorhead graduates ($12,000 vs. $22,276).
• Among borrowers, M State graduates have an estimated $106 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU Moorhead graduates ($124 vs. $230).
• More MSU Moorhead graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former M State students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 52%)

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.