MSU Moorhead vs. NDSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Minnesota State University Moorhead in Moorhead, MN with North Dakota State University Main Campus in Fargo, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Dakota State University Main Campus is larger than MSU Moorhead based on total student enrollment (11,952 students vs. 4,386 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minnesota State University Moorhead is located in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting); North Dakota State University Main Campus is in Fargo, ND (Midsize City setting).
• Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1; North Dakota State University Main Campus 19:1.

MSU Moorhead vs. NDSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Moorhead or NDSU? 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 North Dakota State University Main Campus than MSU Moorhead ($15,596 vs. $18,221).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Dakota State University Main Campus are 9.7% lower than at Minnesota State University Moorhead ($9,928 vs. $10,994).
• North Dakota State University Main Campus is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU Moorhead (about $682 more per year; $11,110.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.2% higher at NDSU than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (about $5,336 more per year; $15,764.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minnesota State University Moorhead than at North Dakota State University Main Campus (91% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students is 0.6% larger than aid received by North Dakota State University Main Campus students ($6,446 vs. $6,409).

MSU Moorhead vs. NDSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Minnesota State University Moorhead (1190) is 100 points higher than at NDSU (1090).
• Incoming NDSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at MSU Moorhead).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minnesota State University Moorhead 1080/1290; North Dakota State University Main Campus 968/1216.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minnesota State University Moorhead 18/24; North Dakota State University Main Campus 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU Moorhead - Test optional; NDSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NDSU Aug 1, 2027.
• 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%) than MSU Moorhead (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at MSU Moorhead vs. 32% at NDSU.

MSU Moorhead vs. NDSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• North Dakota State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Minnesota State University Moorhead's (45%).
• Graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than MSU Moorhead graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,600 vs. $42,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates have a $1,024 lower median loan debt than NDSU graduates ($22,276 vs. $23,300).
• Among borrowers, MSU Moorhead graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.