MSU Moorhead vs. Saint Benedict

Comparable Facts

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

Minnesota State University Moorhead is larger than Saint Benedict based on total student enrollment (4,386 students vs. 1,429 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minnesota State University Moorhead is located in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting); College of Saint Benedict is in Saint Joseph, MN (Small Suburban setting).
• Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Saint Benedict is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1; College of Saint Benedict 11:1.

MSU Moorhead vs. Saint Benedict Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Moorhead or Saint Benedict? 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 Saint Benedict ($18,221 vs. $28,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota State University Moorhead are 12.4% lower than at College of Saint Benedict ($10,994 vs. $12,550).
• College of Saint Benedict is 434.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU Moorhead (about $45,328 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 434.7% higher at Saint Benedict than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (about $45,328 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Saint Benedict than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Saint Benedict students is 521.3% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students ($40,048 vs. $6,446).

MSU Moorhead vs. Saint Benedict Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Minnesota State University Moorhead (1190) is 50 points higher than at Saint Benedict (1140).
• Incoming Saint Benedict students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 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 Saint Benedict 1048/1233.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minnesota State University Moorhead 18/24; College of Saint Benedict 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU Moorhead - Test optional; Saint Benedict - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saint Benedict students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at MSU Moorhead (3.52).
• Saint Benedict has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than MSU Moorhead (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at MSU Moorhead vs. 21.6% at Saint Benedict.

MSU Moorhead vs. Saint Benedict Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU Moorhead and Saint Benedict? 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 Saint Benedict's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Minnesota State University Moorhead's (45%).
• Graduates from College of Saint Benedict earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than MSU Moorhead graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $42,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates have a $4,067 lower median loan debt than Saint Benedict graduates ($22,276 vs. $26,343).
• Among borrowers, MSU Moorhead graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Benedict graduates ($230 vs. $272).
• More Saint Benedict 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.