MSU Moorhead vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare Minnesota State University Moorhead in Moorhead, MN with University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Dakota is larger than MSU Moorhead based on total student enrollment (10,619 students vs. 4,386 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Minnesota State University Moorhead is located in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

MSU Moorhead vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Moorhead or USD? 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 USD ($18,221 vs. $19,133).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 5.8% lower than at Minnesota State University Moorhead ($10,356 vs. $10,994).
• Minnesota State University Moorhead is 10.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $996 more per year; $10,428.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.1% higher at USD than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (about $2,514 more per year; $12,942.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minnesota State University Moorhead than at University of South Dakota (91% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students is 14.6% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($6,446 vs. $5,623).

MSU Moorhead vs. USD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 30 points higher than at MSU Moorhead (1190).
• Incoming USD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 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 South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Minnesota State University Moorhead 18/24; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU Moorhead - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman MSU Moorhead students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than MSU Moorhead (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at MSU Moorhead vs. 24.1% at USD.

MSU Moorhead vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU Moorhead and USD? 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 South Dakota's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Minnesota State University Moorhead's (45%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than MSU Moorhead graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $42,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates have a $2,724 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($22,276 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, MSU Moorhead graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($230 vs. $258).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Moorhead students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.