Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. NDSU

Should I go to Minnesota State University Mankato or North Dakota State University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Minnesota State University-Mankato or NDSU 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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Minnesota State University Mankato vs. North Dakota State University Main Campus comparison
Minnesota State University Mankato North Dakota State University Main Campus College 3 College 4
Minnesota State University Mankato North Dakota State University Main Campus
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Overview

Minnesota State University-Mankato NDSU
Location Mankato, MN Fargo, ND
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 14,590 12,242
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #731 #568
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mnsu.edu ndsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Minnesota State University-Mankato NDSU
Tuition (In State) $8,356 $9,309
Tuition (Out of State) $17,726 $13,963
Room & Board $10,606 $9,300
Avg Net Price $16,809 $15,962
Avg Grant Aid $6,961 $5,732
% Receiving Grant Aid 73% 77%

Admission

Minnesota State University-Mankato NDSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,152 8,535
Admitted 7,882 8,166
Acceptance Rate 70.7% 95.7%
Enrolled % 29.3% 30.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/24 19/25
SAT Range 968/1216
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Minnesota State University-Mankato NDSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 21:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Engineering (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Agriculture (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Minnesota State University-Mankato NDSU
Graduation Rate 50% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,300 $53,600
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,575 $23,300
Median Loan Payment $233 $240

Diversity

Minnesota State University-Mankato NDSU
% Men 44% 49%
% Women 56% 51%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 86%
% Black 5% 3%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 6% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Minnesota State University-Mankato NDSU
% In-State 77% 35%
% Out-of-State 15% 65%

Campus

Minnesota State University-Mankato NDSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Minnesota State University Mankato is larger than than NDSU based on total student enrollment (14,590 students vs. 12,242 students)

Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. NDSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Minnesota State University-Mankato or NDSU?

  • North Dakota State University Main Campus is 11.4% more expensive to attend than Minnesota State University-Mankato for in-state tuition ($9,309.00 vs. $8,356.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 26.9% higher at Minnesota State University-Mankato than North Dakota State University Main Campus ($17,726.00 vs. $13,963.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Dakota State University Main Campus than Minnesota State University-Mankato ($15,962 vs. $16,809)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Dakota State University Main Campus are 14% lower than costs at Minnesota State University Mankato ($9,300 vs. $10,606)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at North Dakota State University Main Campus than Minnesota State University Mankato (77% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Minnesota State University Mankato students is 21.4% larger than aid received North Dakota State University Main Campus ($6,961 vs. $5,732)

Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. NDSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Minnesota State University-Mankato or NDSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NDSU or Minnesota State University-Mankato .

  • The average SAT score at North Dakota State University Main Campus (1091) is 61 points higher than at Minnesota State University-Mankato (1030)
  • Incoming NDSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Minnesota State University-Mankato (22)
  • Accepted freshman NDSU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Minnesota State University-Mankato (3.37)
  • NDSU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Minnesota State University-Mankato (70.7%)

Minnesota State University-Mankato vs. NDSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Minnesota State University-Mankato or NDSU? 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 NDSU and Minnesota State University-Mankato.

  • The graduation rate at NDSU is higher than Minnesota State University Mankato (54% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn on average $7,300 more per year than Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates after ten years. ($53,600 vs. $46,300)
  • Minnesota State University Mankato students graduate with a $725 lower median federal student loan debt than NDSU graduates. ($22,575 vs. $23,300)
  • Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans than NDSU graduates. ($233 vs. $240)
  • More NDSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota State University-Mankato students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 72%)

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