MSU Moorhead vs. The University of Montana

Should I go to Minnesota State University Moorhead or The University of Montana? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MSU Moorhead or The University of Montana is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Minnesota State University Moorhead vs. The University of Montana comparison
Minnesota State University Moorhead The University of Montana College 3 College 4
Minnesota State University Moorhead The University of Montana
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

MSU Moorhead The University of Montana
Location Moorhead, MN Missoula, MT
Setting Midsize Suburban Small City
Enrollment 4,682 9,955
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #608 #724
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mnstate.edu umt.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

MSU Moorhead The University of Montana
Tuition (In State) $8,838 $5,515
Tuition (Out of State) $17,674 $27,168
Room & Board $10,104 $11,608
Avg Net Price $17,939 $16,361
Avg Grant Aid $6,905 $5,645
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 100%

Admission

MSU Moorhead The University of Montana
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,898 8,943
Admitted 2,207 8,530
Acceptance Rate 56.6% 95.4%
Enrolled % 28.6% 19%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 18/26
SAT Range 1080/1290 1070/1280
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 18, 2025

Academics

MSU Moorhead The University of Montana
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

MSU Moorhead The University of Montana
Graduation Rate 45% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,400 $41,000
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,276 $23,183
Median Loan Payment $230 $239

Diversity

MSU Moorhead The University of Montana
% Men 35% 40%
% Women 65% 60%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 78% 79%
% Black 3% 1%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 1% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 7% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 5%

Students

MSU Moorhead The University of Montana
% In-State 68% 55%
% Out-of-State 28% 44%

Campus

MSU Moorhead The University of Montana
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • The University of Montana is larger than than MSU Moorhead based on total student enrollment (9,955 students vs. 4,682 students)

MSU Moorhead vs. The University of Montana Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Moorhead or The University of Montana?

  • Minnesota State University Moorhead is 60.3% more expensive to attend than The University of Montana for in-state tuition ($8,838.00 vs. $5,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 53.7% higher at The University of Montana than Minnesota State University Moorhead ($27,168.00 vs. $17,674.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Montana than MSU Moorhead ($16,361 vs. $17,939)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota State University Moorhead are 14.9% lower than costs at The University of Montana ($10,104 vs. $11,608)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at The University of Montana than Minnesota State University Moorhead (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students is 22.3% larger than aid received The University of Montana ($6,905 vs. $5,645)

MSU Moorhead vs. The University of Montana Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU Moorhead or The University of Montana? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between The University of Montana or MSU Moorhead .

  • The average SAT score at The University of Montana (1090) is 41 points higher than at MSU Moorhead (1049)
  • Incoming The University of Montana students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at MSU Moorhead (23)
  • Accepted freshman MSU Moorhead students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at The University of Montana (3.36)
  • The University of Montana has a higher acceptance rate (95.4%) than MSU Moorhead (56.6%)

MSU Moorhead vs. The University of Montana Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MSU Moorhead or The University of Montana? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between The University of Montana and MSU Moorhead.

  • The graduation rate at The University of Montana is higher than Minnesota State University Moorhead (47% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Minnesota State University Moorhead earn on average $1,400 more per year than The University of Montana graduates after ten years. ($42,400 vs. $41,000)
  • Minnesota State University Moorhead students graduate with a $907 lower median federal student loan debt than The University of Montana graduates. ($22,276 vs. $23,183)
  • MSU Moorhead graduates are paying $9 less per month on federal student loans than The University of Montana graduates. ($230 vs. $239)
  • More MSU Moorhead graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Montana students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/