MSU Moorhead vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College

Comparable Facts

Compare Minnesota State University Moorhead in Moorhead, MN with Penn State Erie Behrend College in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Minnesota State University Moorhead is larger than Penn State Erie-Behrend College based on total student enrollment (4,386 students vs. 3,336 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minnesota State University Moorhead is located in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting); Penn State Erie Behrend College is in Erie, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Erie Behrend College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1; Penn State Erie Behrend College 12:1.

MSU Moorhead vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Moorhead or Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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 Penn State Erie-Behrend College ($18,221 vs. $23,764).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota State University Moorhead are 24% lower than at Penn State Erie Behrend College ($10,994 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Erie Behrend College is 53.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU Moorhead (about $5,544 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 158.5% higher at Penn State Erie-Behrend College than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (about $16,530 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minnesota State University Moorhead than at Penn State Erie Behrend College (91% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Erie Behrend College students is 66.9% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students ($10,760 vs. $6,446).

MSU Moorhead vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU Moorhead or Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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 Penn State Erie-Behrend College and MSU Moorhead.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Erie Behrend College (1220) is 30 points higher than at MSU Moorhead (1190).
• Incoming Penn State Erie-Behrend College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 21 at MSU Moorhead).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minnesota State University Moorhead 1080/1290; Penn State Erie Behrend College 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minnesota State University Moorhead 18/24; Penn State Erie Behrend College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU Moorhead - Test optional; Penn State Erie-Behrend College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman MSU Moorhead students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Penn State Erie-Behrend College (3.49).
• Penn State Erie-Behrend College has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than MSU Moorhead (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at MSU Moorhead vs. 14.5% at Penn State Erie-Behrend College.

MSU Moorhead vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU Moorhead and Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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).

• Penn State Erie Behrend College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Minnesota State University Moorhead's (45%).
• Graduates from Penn State Erie Behrend College earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than MSU Moorhead graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $42,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates have a $4,542 lower median loan debt than Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates ($22,276 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, MSU Moorhead graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates ($230 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Moorhead students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.