MSU vs. NDSU

Minot State University and North Dakota State University Main Campus side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Minot State University
North Dakota State University Main Campus

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: MSU (64.6% admitted vs 95%). Typical SAT 1040 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: MSU. Average net price is $13,092 vs $15,596 at NDSU.
  • Graduation: MSU 34% vs NDSU 54%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: MSU $45,200 vs NDSU $53,600 (median).
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Key differences

Minot State University North Dakota State University Main Campus
Acceptance rate
MSU more selective
MSU64.6%
NDSU95%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NDSU higher
MSU930-1140
NDSU968-1216
Average net price
MSU $2,504 less
MSU$13,092
NDSU$15,596
In-state tuition
MSU $2,408 less
MSU$8,702
NDSU$11,110
Out-of-state tuition
MSU $7,062 less
MSU$8,702
NDSU$15,764
Graduation rate
NDSU +20 pts
MSU34%
NDSU54%
Median earnings (10 years)
NDSU +$8,400
MSU$45,200
NDSU$53,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • MSU 701
  • NDSU 7,228
  • Admitted
  • MSU 453
  • NDSU 6,864
  • Acceptance rate
  • MSU 64.6%
  • NDSU 95%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • MSU 77.9%
  • NDSU 32%
  • Typical SAT score
  • MSU 1040
  • NDSU 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • MSU 21
  • NDSU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • MSU 3.42
  • NDSU 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • MSU B+
  • NDSU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • MSU Very Easy
  • NDSU Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • MSU Low
  • NDSU
  • SAT range
  • MSU 930-1140
  • NDSU 968-1216
  • ACT range
  • MSU 18-24
  • NDSU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • MSU Test optional
  • NDSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • MSU Jun 30, 2027
  • NDSU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • MSU $8,702
  • NDSU $11,110
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • MSU $8,702
  • NDSU $15,764
  • Room & board
  • MSU $8,534
  • NDSU $9,928
  • Average net price
  • MSU $13,092
  • NDSU $15,596
  • Average grant aid
  • MSU $6,016
  • NDSU $6,409
  • % receiving grant aid
  • MSU 90%
  • NDSU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • MSU 34%
  • NDSU 54%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • MSU $45,200
  • NDSU $53,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • MSU 74%
  • NDSU 81%
  • Median student loan debt
  • MSU $18,725
  • NDSU $23,300
  • Median loan payment
  • MSU $193
  • NDSU $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • MSU 11:1
  • NDSU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • MSU
    • Business (36%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Human Services (6%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • NDSU
    • Business (19%)
    • Engineering (14%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Agriculture (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • MSU Minot, ND
  • NDSU Fargo, ND
  • Setting
  • MSU Remote Town
  • NDSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • MSU 2,751
  • NDSU 11,952
  • Type
  • MSU Public 4 Year
  • NDSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • MSU #616
  • NDSU #601

Comparable Facts

Compare Minot State University in Minot, ND with North Dakota State University Main Campus in Fargo, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

North Dakota State University Main Campus is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (11,952 students vs. 2,751 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Minot State University is located in Minot, ND (Remote Town setting); North Dakota State University Main Campus is in Fargo, ND (Midsize City setting).
  • Minot State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Minot State University 11:1; North Dakota State University Main Campus 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minot State University are 14% lower than at North Dakota State University Main Campus ($8,534 vs. $9,928).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 81.2% higher at NDSU than at Minot State University (about $7,062 more per year; $15,764 vs. $8,702).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minot State University than at North Dakota State University Main Campus (90% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Dakota State University Main Campus students is 6.5% larger than aid received by Minot State University students ($6,409 vs. $6,016).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at NDSU than at MSU (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both MSU and NDSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: MSU Jun 30, 2027; NDSU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at NDSU average a 3.53 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at MSU (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 77.9% at MSU vs. 32% at NDSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Minot State University graduates have a $4,575 lower median loan debt than NDSU graduates ($18,725 vs. $23,300).
  • Among borrowers, MSU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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