Skip to content

Minnesota State University Moorhead vs Southwest Minnesota State University

Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public university in Moorhead, MN, and Southwest Minnesota State University is a public university in Marshall, MN. Minnesota State University Moorhead is the more selective of the two, admitting about 59% of applicants against 62% at Southwest Minnesota State University. Southwest Minnesota State University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $15,291 a year against $17,997 at Minnesota State University Moorhead. About 56% of students graduate at Minnesota State University Moorhead, compared with 45% at Southwest Minnesota State University. Ten years after enrolling, Southwest Minnesota State University alumni earn a median of about $51,342, against $50,527 for Minnesota State University Moorhead.

See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.

Start the free quiz

Minnesota State University Moorhead

Moorhead, MN · Public

Southwest Minnesota State University

Marshall, MN · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Moorhead, MN
Marshall, MN
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
3,072
2,315
Acceptance rate
59%
62%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.46–3.96
3.4–3.9
SAT (middle 50%)
1080–1290
935–1102
ACT (middle 50%)
18–25
16–23
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$17,997
$15,291
Full cost / yr
$25,197
$24,757
In-state tuition
$10,428
$10,361
Out-of-state tuition
$10,428
$10,361
Application fee
$20
$20
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$11,129
$10,559
$30k - $48k
$11,547
$11,175
$48k - $75k
$13,907
$13,153
$75k - $110k
$18,644
$18,283
Over $110k
$22,420
$20,701
Outcomes
Graduation rate
56%
45%
Freshman retention
75%
74%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$45,873
$43,282
Median earnings (10 yr)
$50,527
$51,342
Median debt at graduation
$20,000
$20,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
28%
12%
First-generation students
20%
27%
International students
5%
5%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Minnesota State University Moorhead or Southwest Minnesota State University harder to get into?
Minnesota State University Moorhead is harder to get into. It admits about 59% of applicants, compared with 62% at Southwest Minnesota State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Minnesota State University Moorhead or Southwest Minnesota State University?
Southwest Minnesota State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $15,291 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $17,997 at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Minnesota State University Moorhead and Southwest Minnesota State University?
Before aid, Southwest Minnesota State University costs about $24,757 a year and Minnesota State University Moorhead about $25,197. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Minnesota State University Moorhead or Southwest Minnesota State University?
Southwest Minnesota State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $10,559 there, against about $11,129 at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Minnesota State University Moorhead or Southwest Minnesota State University?
Minnesota State University Moorhead is the larger of the two, with about 3,072 undergraduates against 2,315 at Southwest Minnesota State University.
Does Minnesota State University Moorhead or Southwest Minnesota State University have a better graduation rate?
Minnesota State University Moorhead has the higher graduation rate, at about 56% against 45% at Southwest Minnesota State University.
Do graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead or Southwest Minnesota State University earn more?
Southwest Minnesota State University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $51,342 ten years after enrolling, against about $50,527 for Minnesota State University Moorhead. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Minnesota State University Moorhead and Southwest Minnesota State University require SAT or ACT scores?
Minnesota State University Moorhead is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Southwest Minnesota State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Minnesota State University Moorhead and Southwest Minnesota State University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1080–1290 at Minnesota State University Moorhead and 935–1102 at Southwest Minnesota State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school