MSU Moorhead vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Penn State Harrisburg is larger than MSU Moorhead based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 4,386 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minnesota State University Moorhead is located in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

MSU Moorhead vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Moorhead or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Harrisburg ($18,221 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota State University Moorhead are 24% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($10,994 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg (91% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students is 43.4% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students ($9,245 vs. $6,446).

MSU Moorhead vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU Moorhead or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Harrisburg and MSU Moorhead.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 30 points higher than at MSU Moorhead (1190).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 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 Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minnesota State University Moorhead 18/24; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU Moorhead - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman MSU Moorhead students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than MSU Moorhead (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at MSU Moorhead vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

MSU Moorhead vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU Moorhead and Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Harrisburg's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Minnesota State University Moorhead's (45%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg graduates ($230 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg 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.