University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. MSU Moorhead

Comparable Facts

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

University of Minnesota Duluth is larger than MSU Moorhead based on total student enrollment (9,253 students vs. 4,386 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Minnesota Duluth is located in Duluth, MN (Small City setting); Minnesota State University Moorhead is in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of Minnesota Duluth is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Minnesota Duluth 16:1; Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1.

University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. MSU Moorhead Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Minnesota-Duluth 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth ($18,221 vs. $20,128).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota State University Moorhead are 1% lower than at University of Minnesota Duluth ($10,994 vs. $11,110).
• University of Minnesota Duluth is 40.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU Moorhead (about $4,182 more per year; $14,610.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 93% higher at University of Minnesota-Duluth than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (about $9,702 more per year; $20,130.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Duluth than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Minnesota Duluth students is 11.5% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students ($7,186 vs. $6,446).

University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. MSU Moorhead Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Minnesota-Duluth 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Duluth (1270) is 80 points higher than at MSU Moorhead (1190).
• Incoming University of Minnesota-Duluth students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at MSU Moorhead).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Duluth 1180/1350; Minnesota State University Moorhead 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Duluth 23/28; Minnesota State University Moorhead 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Minnesota-Duluth - Test optional; MSU Moorhead - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Minnesota-Duluth Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MSU Moorhead students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at University of Minnesota-Duluth (3.51).
• University of Minnesota-Duluth has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than MSU Moorhead (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. 27.3% at MSU Moorhead.

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

How do outcomes compare for University of Minnesota-Duluth 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).

• University of Minnesota Duluth's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Minnesota State University Moorhead's (45%).
• Graduates from University of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than MSU Moorhead graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($22,276 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, MSU Moorhead graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($230 vs. $258).
• More University of Minnesota-Duluth 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.