Northwestern College vs. MSU Moorhead

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

Northwestern College
Minnesota State University Moorhead

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: MSU Moorhead (58.8% admitted vs 80.4%). Typical SAT 1190 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: MSU Moorhead. Average net price is $18,221 vs $26,347 at Northwestern College.
  • Graduation: Northwestern College 66% vs MSU Moorhead 45%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northwestern College $38,400 vs MSU Moorhead $42,400 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Northwestern College Minnesota State University Moorhead
Acceptance rate
MSU Moorhead more selective
Northwestern College80.4%
MSU Moorhead58.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
MSU Moorhead higher
Northwestern College940-1240
MSU Moorhead1080-1290
Average net price
MSU Moorhead $8,126 less
Northwestern College$26,347
MSU Moorhead$18,221
In-state tuition
MSU Moorhead $26,282 less
Northwestern College$36,710
MSU Moorhead$10,428
Out-of-state tuition
MSU Moorhead $26,282 less
Northwestern College$36,710
MSU Moorhead$10,428
Graduation rate
Northwestern College +21 pts
Northwestern College66%
MSU Moorhead45%
Median earnings (10 years)
MSU Moorhead +$4,000
Northwestern College$38,400
MSU Moorhead$42,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Northwestern College and MSU Moorhead with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Northwestern College Check my chances at MSU Moorhead
  • Applied
  • Northwestern College 1,497
  • MSU Moorhead 3,751
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern College 1,203
  • MSU Moorhead 2,204
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northwestern College 80.4%
  • MSU Moorhead 58.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northwestern College 27.2%
  • MSU Moorhead 27.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern College 1090
  • MSU Moorhead 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern College 23
  • MSU Moorhead 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northwestern College 3.57
  • MSU Moorhead 3.52
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northwestern College A-
  • MSU Moorhead A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Northwestern College Average
  • MSU Moorhead Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Northwestern College
  • MSU Moorhead Low
  • SAT range
  • Northwestern College 940-1240
  • MSU Moorhead 1080-1290
  • ACT range
  • Northwestern College 20-27
  • MSU Moorhead 18-24
  • Submit test scores
  • Northwestern College Test-free
  • MSU Moorhead Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northwestern College
  • MSU Moorhead
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • MSU Moorhead $10,428
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • MSU Moorhead $10,428
  • Room & board
  • Northwestern College $10,900
  • MSU Moorhead $10,994
  • Average net price
  • Northwestern College $26,347
  • MSU Moorhead $18,221
  • Average grant aid
  • Northwestern College $23,537
  • MSU Moorhead $6,446
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northwestern College 100%
  • MSU Moorhead 91%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northwestern College 66%
  • MSU Moorhead 45%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northwestern College $38,400
  • MSU Moorhead $42,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northwestern College 85%
  • MSU Moorhead 65%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northwestern College $25,092
  • MSU Moorhead $22,276
  • Median loan payment
  • Northwestern College $259
  • MSU Moorhead $230
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northwestern College 15:1
  • MSU Moorhead 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northwestern College
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • MSU Moorhead
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (17%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Northwestern College Orange City, IA
  • MSU Moorhead Moorhead, MN
  • Setting
  • Northwestern College Distant Town
  • MSU Moorhead Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern College 1,705
  • MSU Moorhead 4,386
  • Type
  • Northwestern College Private 4 Year
  • MSU Moorhead Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northwestern College #633
  • MSU Moorhead #600

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA 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 Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (4,386 students vs. 1,705 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northwestern College is located in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting); Minnesota State University Moorhead is in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Northwestern 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: Northwestern College 15:1; Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 0.9% lower than at Minnesota State University Moorhead ($10,900 vs. $10,994).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 252% higher at Northwestern College than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (about $26,282 more per year; $36,710 vs. $10,428).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (100% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 265.1% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students ($23,537 vs. $6,446).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Northwestern College than at MSU Moorhead (23 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Northwestern College, test optional at MSU Moorhead.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Northwestern College average a 3.57 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at MSU Moorhead (3.52).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 27.3% at MSU Moorhead.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates have a $2,816 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($22,276 vs. $25,092).
  • Among borrowers, MSU Moorhead graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($230 vs. $259).
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Moorhead students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 65%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Northwestern College
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges