Carleton College vs. MSU Moorhead

Carleton College and Minnesota State University Moorhead side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Carleton College
Minnesota State University Moorhead

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carleton College (20.4% admitted vs 58.8%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1190.
  • Cheaper after aid: MSU Moorhead. Average net price is $18,221 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs MSU Moorhead 45%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs MSU Moorhead $42,400 (median).
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Key differences

Carleton College Minnesota State University Moorhead
Acceptance rate
Carleton College more selective
Carleton College20.4%
MSU Moorhead58.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Carleton College1450-1560
MSU Moorhead1080-1290
Average net price
MSU Moorhead $9,826 less
Carleton College$28,047
MSU Moorhead$18,221
In-state tuition
MSU Moorhead $58,464 less
Carleton College$68,892
MSU Moorhead$10,428
Out-of-state tuition
MSU Moorhead $58,464 less
Carleton College$68,892
MSU Moorhead$10,428
Graduation rate
Carleton College +48 pts
Carleton College93%
MSU Moorhead45%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carleton College +$23,200
Carleton College$65,600
MSU Moorhead$42,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • MSU Moorhead 3,751
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • MSU Moorhead 2,204
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • MSU Moorhead 58.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • MSU Moorhead 27.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • MSU Moorhead 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • MSU Moorhead 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • MSU Moorhead 3.52
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • MSU Moorhead A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • MSU Moorhead Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • MSU Moorhead Low
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • MSU Moorhead 1080-1290
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • MSU Moorhead 18-24
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • MSU Moorhead Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • MSU Moorhead
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • MSU Moorhead $10,428
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • MSU Moorhead $10,428
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • MSU Moorhead $10,994
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • MSU Moorhead $18,221
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • MSU Moorhead $6,446
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • MSU Moorhead 91%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • MSU Moorhead 45%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • MSU Moorhead $42,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • MSU Moorhead 65%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • MSU Moorhead $22,276
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • MSU Moorhead $230
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • MSU Moorhead 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • MSU Moorhead
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (17%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • MSU Moorhead Moorhead, MN
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • MSU Moorhead Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • MSU Moorhead 4,386
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • MSU Moorhead Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • MSU Moorhead #600

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Minnesota State University Moorhead in Moorhead, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Minnesota State University Moorhead is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (4,386 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Minnesota State University Moorhead is in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Carleton 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: Carleton College 8:1; Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota State University Moorhead are 37.5% lower than at Carleton College ($10,994 vs. $17,586).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 560.6% higher at Carleton College than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (about $58,464 more per year; $68,892 vs. $10,428).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minnesota State University Moorhead than at Carleton College (91% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 781.9% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students ($56,846 vs. $6,446).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 12 points higher at Carleton College than at MSU Moorhead (33 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carleton College and MSU Moorhead.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.38 higher than at MSU Moorhead (3.52).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 27.3% at MSU Moorhead.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $2,776 lower median loan debt than MSU Moorhead graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,276).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU Moorhead graduates ($201 vs. $230).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Moorhead students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 65%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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