Northwestern College vs. MSU Moorhead

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Minnesota State University Moorhead in Moorhead, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Minnesota State University Moorhead is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (4,386 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Minnesota State University Moorhead is in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern College 15:1; Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1.

Northwestern College vs. MSU Moorhead Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or MSU Moorhead? 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 Northwestern College ($18,221 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 0.9% lower than at Minnesota State University Moorhead ($10,900 vs. $10,994).
• Northwestern College is 252% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU Moorhead (about $26,282 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 252% higher at Northwestern College than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (about $26,282 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 265.1% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students ($23,537 vs. $6,446).

Northwestern College vs. MSU Moorhead Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Minnesota State University Moorhead (1190) is 100 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Northwestern College 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: Northwestern College 940/1240; Minnesota State University Moorhead 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Minnesota State University Moorhead 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; MSU Moorhead - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at MSU Moorhead (3.52).
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than MSU Moorhead (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 27.3% at MSU Moorhead.

Northwestern College vs. MSU Moorhead Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern College and MSU Moorhead? 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).

• Northwestern College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Minnesota State University Moorhead's (45%).
• Graduates from Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,400 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates have a $2,816 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($22,276 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, MSU Moorhead graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($230 vs. $259).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Moorhead students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.