MSU Moorhead vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

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

College of Charleston is larger than MSU Moorhead based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 4,386 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minnesota State University Moorhead is located in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting); College of Charleston is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1; College of Charleston 16:1.

MSU Moorhead vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Moorhead or CofC? 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 CofC ($18,221 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota State University Moorhead are 23.3% lower than at College of Charleston ($10,994 vs. $14,332).
• College of Charleston is 24.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU Moorhead (about $2,550 more per year; $12,978.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 267.2% higher at CofC than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (about $27,868 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Charleston students is 39.4% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students ($8,983 vs. $6,446).

MSU Moorhead vs. CofC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU Moorhead or CofC? 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 CofC and MSU Moorhead.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 40 points higher than at MSU Moorhead (1190).
• Incoming CofC students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at MSU Moorhead).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minnesota State University Moorhead 1080/1290; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minnesota State University Moorhead 18/24; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU Moorhead - Test optional; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at MSU Moorhead (3.52).
• CofC has a higher acceptance rate (60%) than MSU Moorhead (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at MSU Moorhead vs. 11.9% at CofC.

MSU Moorhead vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU Moorhead and CofC? 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).

• College of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Minnesota State University Moorhead's (45%).
• Graduates from College of Charleston earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than MSU Moorhead graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $42,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $776 lower median loan debt than MSU Moorhead graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,276).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU Moorhead graduates ($222 vs. $230).
• More MSU Moorhead graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CofC students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 60%)

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.