Minnesota State University Moorhead
Minnesota State University Moorhead — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Minnesota State University Moorhead at a Glance
Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) is a public university in Moorhead, Minnesota, United States. It has an enrollment of 4,679 students as of 2023 and 266 full-time faculty members. MSUM is a part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.
1887
139 years old
$29M
$29 million (2019)
4,679
140 acres
Identity
Is Minnesota State University Moorhead Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $50,527 — 6% below average — while paying $17,997/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 56% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Minnesota State University Moorhead has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Minnesota State University Moorhead compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #56 of 113 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #5 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #6 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #56 | Minnesota State University Moorhead | 39 | $17,997 | $50,527 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Minnesota State University Moorhead's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in MN.
Best Programs at Minnesota State University Moorhead
The highest-earning program at Minnesota State University Moorhead is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $63,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Film/Video and Photographic Arts at $22,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Minnesota State University Moorhead earns $63,100, while a Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduate earns $22,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $14,907 in median debt vs. $22,760 for Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,997/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $63,100 | $63,100 | $14,907 |
| Construction Management | $61,400 | $61,400 | $21,400 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $43,600 | $43,600 | $26,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,400 | $40,400 | $20,384 |
| Social Work | $37,300 | $37,300 | $21,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,600 | $36,600 | $25,275 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $35,200 | $35,200 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $35,000 | $35,000 | $20,250 |
| Legal Support Services | $34,300 | $34,300 | $23,250 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $33,400 | $33,400 | $20,750 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $32,600 | $32,600 | $26,452 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,300 | $30,300 | $25,125 |
| Psychology, General | $29,900 | $29,900 | $23,000 |
| Biology, General | $28,700 | $28,700 | $21,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,300 | $28,300 | $24,572 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $26,800 | $26,800 | $30,750 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $23,500 | $23,500 | $27,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $22,000 | $22,000 | $22,760 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Moorhead, MN
- Student Body
- 3,072 students
- Admission Rate
- 59%
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,997
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $50,527
- Median Student Debt
- $20,000