MSU Moorhead vs. NDSU

Should I go to Minnesota State University Moorhead or North Dakota State University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MSU Moorhead or NDSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Minnesota State University Moorhead vs. North Dakota State University Main Campus comparison
Minnesota State University Moorhead North Dakota State University Main Campus College 3 College 4
Minnesota State University Moorhead North Dakota State University Main Campus
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

MSU Moorhead NDSU
Location Moorhead, MN Fargo, ND
Setting Midsize Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 4,682 12,242
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #608 #568
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mnstate.edu ndsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

MSU Moorhead NDSU
Tuition (In State) $8,838 $9,309
Tuition (Out of State) $17,674 $13,963
Room & Board $10,104 $9,300
Avg Net Price $17,939 $15,962
Avg Grant Aid $6,905 $5,732
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 77%

Admission

MSU Moorhead NDSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,898 8,535
Admitted 2,207 8,166
Acceptance Rate 56.6% 95.7%
Enrolled % 28.6% 30.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 19/25
SAT Range 1080/1290 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 Aug 1, 2024

Academics

MSU Moorhead NDSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Engineering (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Agriculture (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

MSU Moorhead NDSU
Graduation Rate 45% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,400 $53,600
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,276 $23,300
Median Loan Payment $230 $240

Diversity

MSU Moorhead NDSU
% Men 35% 49%
% Women 65% 51%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 78% 86%
% Black 3% 3%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 7% 3%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

MSU Moorhead NDSU
% In-State 68% 35%
% Out-of-State 28% 65%

Campus

MSU Moorhead NDSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • North Dakota State University Main Campus is larger than than MSU Moorhead based on total student enrollment (12,242 students vs. 4,682 students)

MSU Moorhead vs. NDSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Moorhead or NDSU?

  • North Dakota State University Main Campus is 5.3% more expensive to attend than MSU Moorhead for in-state tuition ($9,309.00 vs. $8,838.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 26.6% higher at MSU Moorhead than North Dakota State University Main Campus ($17,674.00 vs. $13,963.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Dakota State University Main Campus than MSU Moorhead ($15,962 vs. $17,939)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Dakota State University Main Campus are 8.6% lower than costs at Minnesota State University Moorhead ($9,300 vs. $10,104)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Minnesota State University Moorhead than North Dakota State University Main Campus (96% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students is 20.5% larger than aid received North Dakota State University Main Campus ($6,905 vs. $5,732)

MSU Moorhead vs. NDSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU Moorhead or NDSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NDSU or MSU Moorhead .

  • The average SAT score at North Dakota State University Main Campus (1091) is 42 points higher than at MSU Moorhead (1049)
  • Incoming NDSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at MSU Moorhead (23)
  • Accepted freshman NDSU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at MSU Moorhead (3.52)
  • NDSU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than MSU Moorhead (56.6%)

MSU Moorhead vs. NDSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MSU Moorhead 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 Moorhead.

  • The graduation rate at NDSU is higher than Minnesota State University Moorhead (54% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn on average $11,200 more per year than MSU Moorhead graduates after ten years. ($53,600 vs. $42,400)
  • Minnesota State University Moorhead students graduate with a $1,024 lower median federal student loan debt than NDSU graduates. ($22,276 vs. $23,300)
  • MSU Moorhead graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than NDSU graduates. ($230 vs. $240)
  • More NDSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Moorhead students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/