MSU Moorhead vs. Umary

Comparable Facts

Compare Minnesota State University Moorhead in Moorhead, MN with University of Mary in Bismarck, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Minnesota State University Moorhead is larger than Umary based on total student enrollment (4,386 students vs. 3,861 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minnesota State University Moorhead is located in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting); University of Mary is in Bismarck, ND (Rural Fringe setting).
• Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1; University of Mary 14:1.

MSU Moorhead vs. Umary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Moorhead or Umary? 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 Umary ($18,221 vs. $20,156).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary are 15.6% lower than at Minnesota State University Moorhead ($9,276 vs. $10,994).
• University of Mary is 114.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU Moorhead (about $11,928 more per year; $22,356.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 114.4% higher at Umary than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (about $11,928 more per year; $22,356.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Mary students is 111% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students ($13,601 vs. $6,446).

MSU Moorhead vs. Umary Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Mary (1230) is 40 points higher than at MSU Moorhead (1190).
• Incoming Umary 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; University of Mary 1110/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minnesota State University Moorhead 18/24; University of Mary 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU Moorhead - Test optional; Umary - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Umary Sep 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman MSU Moorhead students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Umary (3.37).
• Umary has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than MSU Moorhead (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at MSU Moorhead vs. 41.4% at Umary.

MSU Moorhead vs. Umary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU Moorhead and Umary? 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).

• University of Mary's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Minnesota State University Moorhead's (45%).
• Graduates from University of Mary earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than MSU Moorhead graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $42,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates have a $224 lower median loan debt than Umary graduates ($22,276 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, MSU Moorhead graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Umary graduates ($230 vs. $232).
• More Umary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Moorhead students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.