MSU Moorhead vs. St Olaf

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

Minnesota State University Moorhead
St Olaf College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: St Olaf (48.3% admitted vs 58.8%). Typical SAT 1390 vs 1190.
  • Cheaper after aid: MSU Moorhead. Average net price is $18,221 vs $26,756 at St Olaf.
  • Graduation: MSU Moorhead 45% vs St Olaf 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: MSU Moorhead $42,400 vs St Olaf $53,700 (median).
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Key differences

Minnesota State University Moorhead St Olaf College
Acceptance rate
St Olaf more selective
MSU Moorhead58.8%
St Olaf48.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
St Olaf higher
MSU Moorhead1080-1290
St Olaf1300-1470
Average net price
MSU Moorhead $8,535 less
MSU Moorhead$18,221
St Olaf$26,756
In-state tuition
MSU Moorhead $49,332 less
MSU Moorhead$10,428
St Olaf$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
MSU Moorhead $49,332 less
MSU Moorhead$10,428
St Olaf$59,760
Graduation rate
St Olaf +40 pts
MSU Moorhead45%
St Olaf85%
Median earnings (10 years)
St Olaf +$11,300
MSU Moorhead$42,400
St Olaf$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • MSU Moorhead 3,751
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Admitted
  • MSU Moorhead 2,204
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Acceptance rate
  • MSU Moorhead 58.8%
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • MSU Moorhead 27.3%
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • MSU Moorhead 1190
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • MSU Moorhead 21
  • St Olaf 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • MSU Moorhead 3.52
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • MSU Moorhead A-
  • St Olaf A-
  • Admissions standards
  • MSU Moorhead Moderate
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • MSU Moorhead Low
  • St Olaf Low
  • SAT range
  • MSU Moorhead 1080-1290
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • ACT range
  • MSU Moorhead 18-24
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • MSU Moorhead Test optional
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • MSU Moorhead
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • MSU Moorhead $10,428
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • MSU Moorhead $10,428
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Room & board
  • MSU Moorhead $10,994
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Average net price
  • MSU Moorhead $18,221
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Average grant aid
  • MSU Moorhead $6,446
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • % receiving grant aid
  • MSU Moorhead 91%
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • MSU Moorhead 45%
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • MSU Moorhead $42,400
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • MSU Moorhead 65%
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • MSU Moorhead $22,276
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • MSU Moorhead $230
  • St Olaf $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • MSU Moorhead 17:1
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • MSU Moorhead
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (17%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Location
  • MSU Moorhead Moorhead, MN
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • MSU Moorhead Midsize Suburban
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • MSU Moorhead 4,386
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Type
  • MSU Moorhead Public 4 Year
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • MSU Moorhead #600
  • St Olaf #143

Comparable Facts

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

Minnesota State University Moorhead is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (4,386 students vs. 3,124 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Minnesota State University Moorhead is located in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota State University Moorhead are 19.3% lower than at St Olaf College ($10,994 vs. $13,630).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 473.1% higher at St Olaf than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (about $49,332 more per year; $59,760 vs. $10,428).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (100% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 599.6% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students ($45,098 vs. $6,446).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 9 points higher at St Olaf than at MSU Moorhead (30 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both MSU Moorhead and St Olaf.
  • Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at St Olaf average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at MSU Moorhead (3.52).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at MSU Moorhead vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates have a $4,724 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($22,276 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, MSU Moorhead graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($230 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Moorhead students, three years after graduation (91% 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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