MSU vs. NDSU

Should I go to Minot State University or North Dakota State University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MSU 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.

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Minot State University vs. North Dakota State University Main Campus comparison
Minot State University North Dakota State University Main Campus College 3 College 4
Minot State University North Dakota State University Main Campus
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Overview

MSU NDSU
Location Minot, ND Fargo, ND
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 2,777 12,242
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #726 #568
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website minotstateu.edu ndsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

MSU NDSU
Tuition (In State) $7,168 $9,309
Tuition (Out of State) $7,168 $13,963
Room & Board $7,180 $9,300
Avg Net Price $12,360 $15,962
Avg Grant Aid $5,542 $5,732
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 77%

Admission

MSU NDSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 498 8,535
Admitted 464 8,166
Acceptance Rate 93.2% 95.7%
Enrolled % 81.5% 30.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/22 19/25
SAT Range 992/1178 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 Jun 30, 2024 Aug 1, 2024

Academics

MSU NDSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (36%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Engineering (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Agriculture (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

MSU NDSU
Graduation Rate 34% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,200 $53,600
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,725 $23,300
Median Loan Payment $193 $240

Diversity

MSU NDSU
% Men 35% 49%
% Women 65% 51%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 86%
% Black 5% 3%
% Hispanic 6% 2%
% Native American 2% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 13% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

MSU NDSU
% In-State 72% 35%
% Out-of-State 21% 65%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • North Dakota State University Main Campus is larger than than MSU based on total student enrollment (12,242 students vs. 2,777 students)

MSU vs. NDSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU or NDSU?

  • North Dakota State University Main Campus is 29.9% more expensive to attend than MSU for in-state tuition ($9,309.00 vs. $7,168.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 94.8% higher at NDSU than Minot State University ($13,963.00 vs. $7,168.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Minot State University than NDSU ($12,360 vs. $15,962)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minot State University are 29.5% lower than costs at North Dakota State University Main Campus ($7,180 vs. $9,300)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Minot State University than North Dakota State University Main Campus (91% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Dakota State University Main Campus students is 3.4% larger than aid received Minot State University ($5,732 vs. $5,542)

MSU vs. NDSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at North Dakota State University Main Campus (1091) is 92 points higher than at MSU (999)
  • Incoming NDSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at MSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman NDSU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at MSU (3.42)
  • NDSU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than MSU (93.2%)

MSU vs. NDSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MSU 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.

  • The graduation rate at NDSU is higher than Minot State University (54% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn on average $8,400 more per year than MSU graduates after ten years. ($53,600 vs. $45,200)
  • Minot State University students graduate with a $4,575 lower median federal student loan debt than NDSU graduates. ($18,725 vs. $23,300)
  • MSU graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than NDSU graduates. ($193 vs. $240)
  • More NDSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 74%)

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