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ISU Minnesota University of Minnesota-Duluth MSU Moorhead University of North Dakota South Dakota State University Concordia College at Moorhead South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Iowa St. Cloud State University Umary University of Minnesota-Rochester| Minot State University | North Dakota State University Main Campus | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
MSU | NDSU | ||
| Location | Minot, ND | Fargo, ND | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Midsize City | ||
| Enrollment | 2,777 | 12,242 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #726 | #568 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | minotstateu.edu | ndsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
MSU | NDSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $7,168 | $9,309 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $7,168 | $13,963 | ||
| Room & Board | $7,180 | $9,300 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $12,360 | $15,962 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $5,542 | $5,732 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 91% | 77% |
Admission |
MSU | NDSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 498 | 8,535 | ||
| Admitted | 464 | 8,166 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 93.2% | 95.7% | ||
| Enrolled % | 81.5% | 30.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.42 | 3.53 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 17/22 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 992/1178 | 968/1216 | ||
| 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 | Jun 30, 2025 | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
MSU | NDSU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 10:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
MSU | NDSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 34% | 54% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $45,200 | $53,600 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 74% | 81% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $18,725 | $23,300 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $193 | $240 |
Diversity |
MSU | NDSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 35% | 49% | ||
| % Women | 65% | 51% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 67% | 86% | ||
| % Black | 5% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 2% | ||
| % Native American | 2% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 4% | 2% | ||
| % International | 13% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 2% |
Students |
MSU | NDSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 72% | 35% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 21% | 65% | ||
Campus |
MSU | NDSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- North Dakota State University Main Campus is larger than than MSU based on total student enrollment (12,242 students vs. 2,777 students)
MSU vs. NDSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, MSU or NDSU?
- North Dakota State University Main Campus is 29.9% more expensive to attend than MSU for in-state tuition ($9,309.00 vs. $7,168.00)
- Out of state tuition is 94.8% higher at NDSU than Minot State University ($13,963.00 vs. $7,168.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Minot State University than NDSU ($12,360 vs. $15,962)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minot State University are 29.5% lower than costs at North Dakota State University Main Campus ($7,180 vs. $9,300)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Minot State University than North Dakota State University Main Campus (91% vs. 77%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by North Dakota State University Main Campus students is 3.4% larger than aid received Minot State University ($5,732 vs. $5,542)
MSU vs. NDSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, MSU or NDSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NDSU or MSU .
- The average SAT score at North Dakota State University Main Campus (1091) is 92 points higher than at MSU (999)
- Incoming NDSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at MSU (22)
- Accepted freshman NDSU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at MSU (3.42)
- NDSU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than MSU (93.2%)
MSU vs. NDSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, MSU or NDSU? 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 NDSU and MSU.
- The graduation rate at NDSU is higher than Minot State University (54% vs. 34%)
- Graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn on average $8,400 more per year than MSU graduates after ten years. ($53,600 vs. $45,200)
- Minot State University students graduate with a $4,575 lower median federal student loan debt than NDSU graduates. ($18,725 vs. $23,300)
- MSU graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than NDSU graduates. ($193 vs. $240)
- More NDSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 74%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/