MSU Moorhead vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Should I go to Minnesota State University Moorhead or Southwest Minnesota State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MSU Moorhead or Southwest Minnesota State University 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.

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Minnesota State University Moorhead vs. Southwest Minnesota State University comparison
Minnesota State University Moorhead Southwest Minnesota State University College 3 College 4
Minnesota State University Moorhead
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Overview

MSU Moorhead Southwest Minnesota State University
Location Moorhead, MN Marshall, MN
Setting Midsize Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 4,682 6,930
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #608 #948
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mnstate.edu smsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

MSU Moorhead Southwest Minnesota State University
Tuition (In State) $8,838 $8,840
Tuition (Out of State) $17,674 $8,840
Room & Board $10,104 $9,258
Avg Net Price $17,939 $15,004
Avg Grant Aid $6,905 $7,389
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 94%

Admission

MSU Moorhead Southwest Minnesota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,898 1,558
Admitted 2,207 1,427
Acceptance Rate 56.6% 91.6%
Enrolled % 28.6% 22.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.21
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Moderate Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 17/23
SAT Range 1080/1290 935/1102
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 18, 2024

Academics

MSU Moorhead Southwest Minnesota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

MSU Moorhead Southwest Minnesota State University
Graduation Rate 45% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,400 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,276 $21,678
Median Loan Payment $230 $224

Diversity

MSU Moorhead Southwest Minnesota State University
% Men 35% 38%
% Women 65% 62%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 78% 80%
% Black 3% 5%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 7% 5%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

MSU Moorhead Southwest Minnesota State University
% In-State 68% 74%
% Out-of-State 28% 20%

Campus

MSU Moorhead Southwest Minnesota State University
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

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than MSU Moorhead based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 4,682 students)

MSU Moorhead vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Moorhead or Southwest Minnesota State University?

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is 0% more expensive to attend than MSU Moorhead for in-state tuition ($8,840.00 vs. $8,838.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 99.9% higher at MSU Moorhead than Southwest Minnesota State University ($17,674.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwest Minnesota State University than MSU Moorhead ($15,004 vs. $17,939)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 9.1% lower than costs at Minnesota State University Moorhead ($9,258 vs. $10,104)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Minnesota State University Moorhead than Southwest Minnesota State University (96% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 7% larger than aid received Minnesota State University Moorhead ($7,389 vs. $6,905)

MSU Moorhead vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Minnesota State University Moorhead (1049) is 41 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008)
  • Incoming MSU Moorhead students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman MSU Moorhead students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.6%) than MSU Moorhead (56.6%)

MSU Moorhead vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MSU Moorhead or Southwest Minnesota State University? 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 Southwest Minnesota State University and MSU Moorhead.

  • The graduation rate at MSU Moorhead is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (45% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Minnesota State University Moorhead earn on average $1,200 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($42,400 vs. $41,200)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $598 lower median federal student loan debt than MSU Moorhead graduates. ($21,678 vs. $22,276)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than MSU Moorhead graduates. ($224 vs. $230)
  • More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Moorhead students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 65%)

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