MSU Moorhead vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Minnesota State University Moorhead in Moorhead, MN with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Minnesota State University Moorhead is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (4,386 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minnesota State University Moorhead is located in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1; Northern State University 19:1.

MSU Moorhead vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Moorhead or NSU? 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 Northern State University than MSU Moorhead ($15,990 vs. $18,221).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 3.6% lower than at Minnesota State University Moorhead ($10,600 vs. $10,994).
• Minnesota State University Moorhead is 17.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $1,583 more per year; $10,428.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at NSU than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (about $1,519 more per year; $11,947.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (97% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students is 0.1% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($6,446 vs. $6,441).

MSU Moorhead vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Minnesota State University Moorhead (1190) is 120 points higher than at NSU (1070).
• Incoming MSU Moorhead students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at NSU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minnesota State University Moorhead 1080/1290; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minnesota State University Moorhead 18/24; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU Moorhead - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman MSU Moorhead students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at NSU (3.37).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than MSU Moorhead (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at MSU Moorhead vs. 35.2% at NSU.

MSU Moorhead vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Minnesota State University Moorhead's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Northern State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates have a $2,123 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($22,276 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, MSU Moorhead graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($230 vs. $252).
• More MSU Moorhead graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 63%)

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.