UNI vs. MSU Moorhead

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA with Minnesota State University Moorhead in Moorhead, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Northern Iowa is larger than MSU Moorhead based on total student enrollment (9,278 students vs. 4,386 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting); Minnesota State University Moorhead is in Moorhead, MN (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; Minnesota State University Moorhead 17:1.

UNI vs. MSU Moorhead Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or MSU Moorhead? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Northern Iowa than MSU Moorhead ($16,437 vs. $18,221).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 9.2% lower than at Minnesota State University Moorhead ($9,986 vs. $10,994).
• Minnesota State University Moorhead is 5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $492 more per year; $10,428.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.2% higher at UNI than at Minnesota State University Moorhead (about $11,284 more per year; $21,712.00 vs. $10,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Minnesota State University Moorhead than at University of Northern Iowa (91% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Minnesota State University Moorhead students is 9.9% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($6,446 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. MSU Moorhead Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI or MSU Moorhead? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MSU Moorhead and UNI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Minnesota State University Moorhead (1190) is 40 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming UNI students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at MSU Moorhead).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; Minnesota State University Moorhead 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; Minnesota State University Moorhead 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; MSU Moorhead - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at MSU Moorhead (3.52).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than MSU Moorhead (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 27.3% at MSU Moorhead.

UNI vs. MSU Moorhead Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and MSU Moorhead? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Northern Iowa's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Minnesota State University Moorhead's (45%).
• Graduates from University of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than MSU Moorhead graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $42,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $1,651 lower median loan debt than MSU Moorhead graduates ($20,625 vs. $22,276).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU Moorhead graduates ($213 vs. $230).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Moorhead students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.