MSU Moorhead vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

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

Minnesota State University Moorhead is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (4,386 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minnesota State University Moorhead is located in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

MSU Moorhead vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Moorhead or St Olaf? 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 Olaf ($18,221 vs. $26,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota State University Moorhead are 19.3% lower than at St Olaf College ($10,994 vs. $13,630).
• St Olaf College is 473.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU Moorhead (about $49,332 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 473.1% higher at St Olaf than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (about $49,332 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 599.6% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students ($45,098 vs. $6,446).

MSU Moorhead vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 200 points higher than at MSU Moorhead (1190).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 21 at MSU Moorhead).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minnesota State University Moorhead 1080/1290; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minnesota State University Moorhead 18/24; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU Moorhead - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St Olaf students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at MSU Moorhead (3.52).
• MSU Moorhead has a higher acceptance rate (58.8%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at MSU Moorhead vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

MSU Moorhead vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU Moorhead and St Olaf? 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 Olaf College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Minnesota State University Moorhead's (45%).
• Graduates from St Olaf College earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than MSU Moorhead graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $42,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates have a $4,724 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($22,276 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MSU Moorhead graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Moorhead students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.