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ISU Minnesota State University-Mankato Minnesota University of Minnesota-Duluth University of North Dakota South Dakota State University Concordia College at Moorhead South Dakota School of Mines and Technology St. Cloud State University Iowa Winona State University Umary| Minnesota State University Moorhead | North Dakota State University Main Campus | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
MSU Moorhead | NDSU | ||
| Location | Moorhead, MN | Fargo, ND | ||
| Setting | Midsize Suburban | Midsize City | ||
| Enrollment | 4,682 | 12,242 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #608 | #568 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | mnstate.edu | ndsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
MSU Moorhead | NDSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $8,838 | $9,309 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $17,674 | $13,963 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,104 | $9,300 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $17,939 | $15,962 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $6,905 | $5,732 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 96% | 77% |
Admission |
MSU Moorhead | NDSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,898 | 8,535 | ||
| Admitted | 2,207 | 8,166 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 56.6% | 95.7% | ||
| Enrolled % | 28.6% | 30.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.52 | 3.53 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Moderate | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 18/24 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 1080/1290 | 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 |
MSU Moorhead | NDSU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
MSU Moorhead | NDSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 45% | 54% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $42,400 | $53,600 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 65% | 81% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,276 | $23,300 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $230 | $240 |
Diversity |
MSU Moorhead | NDSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 35% | 49% | ||
| % Women | 65% | 51% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 78% | 86% | ||
| % Black | 3% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 2% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 2% | ||
| % International | 7% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 4% | 2% |
Students |
MSU Moorhead | NDSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 68% | 35% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 28% | 65% | ||
Campus |
MSU Moorhead | 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
- North Dakota State University Main Campus is larger than than MSU Moorhead based on total student enrollment (12,242 students vs. 4,682 students)
MSU Moorhead vs. NDSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, MSU Moorhead or NDSU?
- North Dakota State University Main Campus is 5.3% more expensive to attend than MSU Moorhead for in-state tuition ($9,309.00 vs. $8,838.00)
- Out of state tuition is 26.6% higher at MSU Moorhead than North Dakota State University Main Campus ($17,674.00 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 MSU Moorhead ($15,962 vs. $17,939)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Dakota State University Main Campus are 8.6% lower than costs at Minnesota State University Moorhead ($9,300 vs. $10,104)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Minnesota State University Moorhead than North Dakota State University Main Campus (96% vs. 77%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students is 20.5% larger than aid received North Dakota State University Main Campus ($6,905 vs. $5,732)
MSU Moorhead vs. NDSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, MSU Moorhead or NDSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NDSU or MSU Moorhead .
- The average SAT score at North Dakota State University Main Campus (1091) is 42 points higher than at MSU Moorhead (1049)
- Incoming NDSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at MSU Moorhead (23)
- Accepted freshman NDSU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at MSU Moorhead (3.52)
- NDSU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than MSU Moorhead (56.6%)
MSU Moorhead vs. NDSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, MSU Moorhead 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 MSU Moorhead.
- The graduation rate at NDSU is higher than Minnesota State University Moorhead (54% vs. 45%)
- Graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn on average $11,200 more per year than MSU Moorhead graduates after ten years. ($53,600 vs. $42,400)
- Minnesota State University Moorhead students graduate with a $1,024 lower median federal student loan debt than NDSU graduates. ($22,276 vs. $23,300)
- MSU Moorhead graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than NDSU graduates. ($230 vs. $240)
- More NDSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Moorhead students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 65%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/