MSU Moorhead vs. St. Kate's

Comparable Facts

Compare Minnesota State University Moorhead in Moorhead, MN with St Catherine University in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Minnesota State University Moorhead is larger than St. Kate's based on total student enrollment (4,386 students vs. 3,651 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minnesota State University Moorhead is located in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting); St Catherine University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. St Catherine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1; St Catherine University 9:1.

MSU Moorhead vs. St. Kate's Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Moorhead or St. Kate's? 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 St. Kate's ($18,221 vs. $20,918).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota State University Moorhead are 9.8% lower than at St Catherine University ($10,994 vs. $12,188).
• St Catherine University is 393.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU Moorhead (about $41,026 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 393.4% higher at St. Kate's than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (about $41,026 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Catherine University than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Catherine University students is 522% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students ($40,092 vs. $6,446).

MSU Moorhead vs. St. Kate's Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU Moorhead or St. Kate's? 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 St. Kate's and MSU Moorhead.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Minnesota State University Moorhead (1190) is 190 points higher than at St. Kate's (1000).
• Incoming St. Kate's students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at MSU Moorhead).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minnesota State University Moorhead 1080/1290; St Catherine University 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minnesota State University Moorhead 18/24; St Catherine University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU Moorhead - Test optional; St. Kate's - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman St. Kate's students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at MSU Moorhead (3.52).
• St. Kate's has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than MSU Moorhead (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at MSU Moorhead vs. 18.8% at St. Kate's.

MSU Moorhead vs. St. Kate's Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU Moorhead and St. Kate's? 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).

• St Catherine University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Minnesota State University Moorhead's (45%).
• Graduates from St Catherine University earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than MSU Moorhead graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,100 vs. $42,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates have a $5,724 lower median loan debt than St. Kate's graduates ($22,276 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, MSU Moorhead graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Kate's graduates ($230 vs. $289).
• More St. Kate's graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Moorhead students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.