Minnesota vs. MSU Moorhead

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Minneapolis, 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 Twin Cities is larger than MSU Moorhead based on total student enrollment (56,666 students vs. 4,386 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting); Minnesota State University Moorhead is in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities 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 Twin Cities 17:1; Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1.

Minnesota vs. MSU Moorhead Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Minnesota 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 University of Minnesota Twin Cities than MSU Moorhead ($17,209 vs. $18,221).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota State University Moorhead are 20.7% lower than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities ($10,994 vs. $13,856).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is 65.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU Moorhead (about $6,786 more per year; $17,214.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 267.9% higher at Minnesota than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (about $27,934 more per year; $38,362.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minnesota State University Moorhead than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (91% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students is 94.7% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students ($12,552 vs. $6,446).

Minnesota vs. MSU Moorhead Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Minnesota 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 Minnesota.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (1400) is 210 points higher than at MSU Moorhead (1190).
• Incoming Minnesota students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 21 at MSU Moorhead).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500; Minnesota State University Moorhead 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31; Minnesota State University Moorhead 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Minnesota - Test optional; MSU Moorhead - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Minnesota Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Minnesota students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at MSU Moorhead (3.52).
• Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than MSU Moorhead (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.3% at Minnesota vs. 27.3% at MSU Moorhead.

Minnesota vs. MSU Moorhead Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Minnesota 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 Twin Cities's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Minnesota State University Moorhead's (45%).
• Graduates from University of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of about $15,800 more per year than MSU Moorhead graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $42,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates have a $2,091 lower median loan debt than MSU Moorhead graduates ($20,185 vs. $22,276).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU Moorhead graduates ($208 vs. $230).
• More Minnesota 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.