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Minnesota State University Moorhead

MSU Moorhead or MSUM

Moorhead, Minnesota 56563

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

SuburbanGreek life

Known for business — excellent value

Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public institution in Moorhead with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1090, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 3.1K undergraduates with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

55% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $50,527 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $17,816.

Established
1887
Motto
Sacrifice, Service, Loyalty
Type
Public university
Division
Division II

Plan Your Visit

53%Acceptance
1090SAT Avg
3,120Students
17:1Student:Faculty
55%Grad Rate
$50,527Earnings 10yr
$17,816Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate52.6%

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 22
1924

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$10,336
Tuition (out-of-state)$10,336
Room & Board$10,594
Books & Supplies$1,000
Total Cost of Attendance$24,419
Average Net Price$17,816
Median Debt at Graduation$20,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$212

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$13,260
$30–48K$12,969
$48–75K$14,544
$75–110K$19,410
$110K+$21,573

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

48.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

-4.4%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$15,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

22

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

5

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

2

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

6

Drug Arrests

5

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (105)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

72%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
3,120
Gender Split
63% / 37%
Women / Men
First Generation
20%
Pell Grant Recipients
27%

Race & Ethnicity

White 78%
Black 5%
Hispanic 5%
Asian 2%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 5%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate54.6%
Freshman Retention72.4%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$45,873
10 Years$50,527

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#115
vs 2024
Forbes
#76
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#328
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • 4 ha) and appropriated the funds that would go to form "Moorhead Normal School", which opened in 1888.
  • The school began offering a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1946 and graduate programs by 1953.
  • As a result of the broadened offerings, by 1957 the name was changed to "Moorhead State College".
  • The school continued to increase its number of programs and by 1975, the State Legislature that year granted the school university status under the name "Moorhead State University".

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

100Average

Estimated from MN state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Minneapolispop. 430K
213 mi(369 min)
Milwaukeepop. 570K
507 mi(879 min)
Kansas Citypop. 500K
548 mi(950 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MSP Minneapolis-St Paul219 mi
MKE Milwaukee511 mi
MCI Kansas City533 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1296 mi · ~37h 26m drive
New York, NY1207 mi · ~34h 52m drive
Hartford, CT1236 mi · ~35h 42m drive
Providence, RI1294 mi · ~37h 23m drive
Albany, NY1161 mi · ~33h 32m drive
Syracuse, NY1038 mi · ~29h 59m drive
Rochester, NY967 mi · ~27h 56m drive
Buffalo, NY915 mi · ~26h 26m drive
Philadelphia, PA1180 mi · ~34h 5m drive
Pittsburgh, PA946 mi · ~27h 20m drive
Harrisburg, PA1090 mi · ~31h 29m drive
Newark, NJ1198 mi · ~34h 37m drive
Washington, DC1135 mi · ~32h 47m drive
Baltimore, MD1139 mi · ~32h 54m drive
Atlanta, GA1113 mi · ~32h 9m drive
Charlotte, NC1151 mi · ~33h 15m drive
Raleigh, NC1208 mi · ~34h 54m drive
Miami, FL1718 mi · ~49h 38m drive
Orlando, FL1514 mi · ~43h 44m drive
Tampa, FL1519 mi · ~43h 53m drive
Nashville, TN900 mi · ~26h drive
New Orleans, LA1222 mi · ~35h 18m drive
Richmond, VA1175 mi · ~33h 57m drive
Chicago, IL567 mi · ~16h 23m drive
Detroit, MI743 mi · ~21h 28m drive
Minneapolis, MN213 mi · ~6h 9m drive
St. Louis, MO659 mi · ~19h 2m drive
Kansas City, MO548 mi · ~15h 50m drive
Indianapolis, IN723 mi · ~20h 53m drive
Columbus, OH838 mi · ~24h 13m drive
Cleveland, OH832 mi · ~24h 2m drive
Milwaukee, WI507 mi · ~14h 39m drive
Dallas, TX974 mi · ~28h 8m drive
Houston, TX1184 mi · ~34h 12m drive
Austin, TX1148 mi · ~33h 10m drive
San Antonio, TX1209 mi · ~34h 56m drive
Los Angeles, CA1427 mi · ~41h 13m drive
San Francisco, CA1445 mi · ~41h 45m drive
San Diego, CA1451 mi · ~41h 55m drive
Seattle, WA1195 mi · ~34h 31m drive
Portland, OR1238 mi · ~35h 46m drive
Denver, CO643 mi · ~18h 35m drive
Phoenix, AZ1226 mi · ~35h 25m drive
Salt Lake City, UT862 mi · ~24h 54m drive
Honolulu, HI3803 mi · ~109h 52m drive
Northern (cold winters, cool summers)

Visit Planning

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Minnesota State University Moorhead Application Checklist

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