MSU Moorhead vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester

Should I go to Minnesota State University Moorhead or University of Minnesota Rochester? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MSU Moorhead or University of Minnesota-Rochester 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. University of Minnesota Rochester comparison
Minnesota State University Moorhead University of Minnesota Rochester College 3 College 4
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

MSU Moorhead University of Minnesota-Rochester
Location Moorhead, MN Rochester, MN
Setting Midsize Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 4,682 630
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #608
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mnstate.edu umn.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

MSU Moorhead University of Minnesota-Rochester
Tuition (In State) $8,838 $12,808
Tuition (Out of State) $17,674 $12,808
Room & Board $10,104 $12,882
Avg Net Price $17,939 $12,613
Avg Grant Aid $6,905 $11,833
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 67%

Admission

MSU Moorhead University of Minnesota-Rochester
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,898 1,198
Admitted 2,207 859
Acceptance Rate 56.6% 71.7%
Enrolled % 28.6% 22.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Moderate Challenging
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 18/24 20/26
SAT Range 1080/1290 1058/1331
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 Jul 31, 2025

Academics

MSU Moorhead University of Minnesota-Rochester
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

MSU Moorhead University of Minnesota-Rochester
Graduation Rate 45% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,400 $58,200
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,276 $20,185
Median Loan Payment $230 $208

Diversity

MSU Moorhead University of Minnesota-Rochester
% Men 35% 20%
% Women 65% 80%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 78% 79%
% Black 3% 6%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 7% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 0%

Students

MSU Moorhead University of Minnesota-Rochester
% In-State 68% 78%
% Out-of-State 28% 21%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Minnesota State University Moorhead is larger than than University of Minnesota-Rochester based on total student enrollment (4,682 students vs. 630 students)

MSU Moorhead vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Moorhead or University of Minnesota-Rochester?

  • University of Minnesota Rochester is 44.9% more expensive to attend than MSU Moorhead for in-state tuition ($12,808.00 vs. $8,838.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 38% higher at MSU Moorhead than University of Minnesota Rochester ($17,674.00 vs. $12,808.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Minnesota Rochester than MSU Moorhead ($12,613 vs. $17,939)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota State University Moorhead are 27.5% lower than costs at University of Minnesota Rochester ($10,104 vs. $12,882)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Minnesota State University Moorhead than University of Minnesota Rochester (96% vs. 67%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Minnesota Rochester students is 71.4% larger than aid received Minnesota State University Moorhead ($11,833 vs. $6,905)

MSU Moorhead vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Minnesota Rochester (1110) is 61 points higher than at MSU Moorhead (1049)
  • Incoming University of Minnesota-Rochester students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at MSU Moorhead (23)
  • University of Minnesota-Rochester has a higher acceptance rate (71.7%) than MSU Moorhead (56.6%)

MSU Moorhead vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MSU Moorhead or University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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 University of Minnesota-Rochester and MSU Moorhead.

  • Graduates from University of Minnesota Rochester earn on average $15,800 more per year than MSU Moorhead graduates after ten years. ($58,200 vs. $42,400)
  • University of Minnesota Rochester students graduate with a $2,091 lower median federal student loan debt than MSU Moorhead graduates. ($20,185 vs. $22,276)
  • University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than MSU Moorhead graduates. ($208 vs. $230)
  • More University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Moorhead students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 65%)

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