Western State Colorado University vs. MSU Moorhead

Should I go to Western State Colorado University or Minnesota State University Moorhead? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western State Colorado University or MSU Moorhead 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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Western State Colorado University vs. Minnesota State University Moorhead comparison
Western State Colorado University Minnesota State University Moorhead College 3 College 4
Western State Colorado University Minnesota State University Moorhead
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Overview

Western State Colorado University MSU Moorhead
Location Gunnison, CO Moorhead, MN
Setting Remote Town Midsize Suburban
Enrollment 4,053 4,410
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #757 #612
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website western.edu mnstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western State Colorado University MSU Moorhead
Tuition (In State) $7,128 $8,838
Tuition (Out of State) $19,728 $8,838
Room & Board $10,442 $10,594
Avg Net Price $17,709 $18,231
Avg Grant Aid $7,169 $6,117
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 92%

Admission

Western State Colorado University MSU Moorhead
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,283 4,654
Admitted 3,200 2,449
Acceptance Rate 97.5% 52.6%
Enrolled % 13.2% 24.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.52
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/28 18/24
SAT Range 1000/1240 1080/1290
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

Academics

Western State Colorado University MSU Moorhead
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

Western State Colorado University MSU Moorhead
Graduation Rate 39% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $42,400
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 65%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $22,276
Median Loan Payment $222 $230

Diversity

Western State Colorado University MSU Moorhead
% Men 4% 6%
% Women 8% 16%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 75% 78%
% Black 3% 3%
% Hispanic 10% 3%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 0% 7%
% Unknown Race 6% 4%

Students

Western State Colorado University MSU Moorhead
% In-State 72% 68%
% Out-of-State 27% 28%

Campus

Western State Colorado University MSU Moorhead
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Minnesota State University Moorhead is larger than than Western State Colorado University based on total student enrollment (4,410 students vs. 4,053 students)

Western State Colorado University vs. MSU Moorhead Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western State Colorado University or MSU Moorhead?

  • Minnesota State University Moorhead is 24% more expensive to attend than Western State Colorado University for in-state tuition ($8,838.00 vs. $7,128.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 123.2% higher at Western State Colorado University than Minnesota State University Moorhead ($19,728.00 vs. $8,838.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western State Colorado University than MSU Moorhead ($17,709 vs. $18,231)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western State Colorado University are 1.5% lower than costs at Minnesota State University Moorhead ($10,442 vs. $10,594)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Western State Colorado University as Minnesota State University Moorhead (92% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western State Colorado University students is 17.2% larger than aid received Minnesota State University Moorhead ($7,169 vs. $6,117)

Western State Colorado University vs. MSU Moorhead Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Minnesota State University Moorhead (1049) is 85 points higher than at Western State Colorado University (964)
  • Incoming MSU Moorhead students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Western State Colorado University (20)
  • Accepted freshman MSU Moorhead students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Western State Colorado University (3.42)
  • Western State Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than MSU Moorhead (52.6%)

Western State Colorado University vs. MSU Moorhead Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western State Colorado University or MSU Moorhead? 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 MSU Moorhead and Western State Colorado University.

  • The graduation rate at MSU Moorhead is higher than Western State Colorado University (45% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Minnesota State University Moorhead earn on average $1,600 more per year than Western State Colorado University graduates after ten years. ($42,400 vs. $40,800)
  • Western State Colorado University students graduate with a $776 lower median federal student loan debt than MSU Moorhead graduates. ($21,500 vs. $22,276)
  • Western State Colorado University graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than MSU Moorhead graduates. ($222 vs. $230)
  • More MSU Moorhead graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western State Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 61%)

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