Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM)

Moorhead, Minnesota Location
Public University (Minnesota State System) School Type
1887 Established Year

Major Intakes

Plan your application according to these cycles.

Fall (Primary) Late August
Spring January
Summer May (Limited programs)

Ranking

Excellence Recognized Worldwide

#15 U.S. News
Regional Universities Midwest (U.S. News)
#18 Football: 16 NSIC Conference Championships
Top Liberal Arts College in Midwest (TIME)
#328 Men's Basketball: 3 NSIC Tournament Titles (2022, 2023, 2025)
Master's Universities (Washington Monthly)

Academic Programs & Deadlines

Business Administration
Fall: Varies by program and Spring: Varies by program
Counseling
Fall: Varies by program and Spring: Varies by program
Speech-Language Pathology
Fall: Varies by program and Spring: Varies by program
Nursing
Fall: Varies by program and Spring: Varies by program
Educational Leadership
Fall: Varies by program and Spring: Varies by program
Business Administration
Fall: Rolling and Spring: Rolling
Computer Science
Fall: Rolling and Spring: Rolling
Psychology
Fall: Rolling and Spring: Rolling
Nursing
Fall: Rolling and Spring: Rolling

University Overview / History


Founded in 1887 as a normal school, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a comprehensive public university in the Minnesota State system. It serves approximately 4,700 students with 76 undergraduate majors and 14 graduate programs across five colleges..

Foundation & Key Facts

  • Established 1887; Part of Minnesota State system; 140-acre suburban campus
  • 17:1 student-faculty ratio; Average class size of 17; First doctoral program (Ed.D.) launched
  • AACSB accredited business school.

Location Insights (City / State)

Moorhead is located in the Red River Valley in northwestern Minnesota, across the river from Fargo, North Dakota. Together they form the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area with a population of over 250,000.

About Moorhead, Minnesota

Moorhead offers a safe, affordable college town atmosphere with access to big-city amenities via neighboring Fargo. The area features a low cost of living, strong job market, and is known for its arts and cultural scene. Part of the Tri-College University consortium with NDSU and Concordia College.

Estimated Cost of Study (approximate values per year)

Expense Undergraduate Graduate MBA
Tuition & Fees $8,838 $10,479 $10,479
Health Insurance $2,000 $2,000 $2,000
Books $1,040 $1,040 $1,040
Living $9,080 $9,080 $9,080
Total $20,958 $22,599 $22,599

Career Opportunities






Companies & Industry Exposure
Job & Employability
Major regional employers include Sanford Health, Microsoft (nearby Fargo campus), Marvin Windows, Blue Cross Blue Shield of ND, education sector, and agricultural businesses.
Career services support; Internship programs

Strong regional employment network

Access to Fargo-Moorhead job market

Alumni network

Cooperative education opportunities.


Admission Procedure






Admissions & Test Prep Admission Requirements
Language Requirements
High school diploma or equivalent;
TOEFL iBT: 61
Official transcripts;
IELTS: 5.5
No ACT/SAT required for admission;
Duolingo: 95
53% acceptance rate
 
Pearson (PTE): 47




Funding & International Student Support



Scholarships & Financial Aid
Additional Requirements
In-state tuition for all domestic students;
Application form; Official transcripts
Merit-based scholarships;
Proof of English proficiency (international students)
North Star Promise Scholarship (Minnesota residents);
Financial documentation for I-20
International student scholarships available;

96% of students receive financial aid averaging $6,353

Student Testimonials

Quick FAQs

MSUM has an acceptance rate of approximately 53%, making it a moderately selective institution with accessible admissions for qualified students.

No. MSUM was one of the first Minnesota State universities to eliminate the ACT/SAT admission requirement for undergraduate students.

International students need: TOEFL 61 (iBT), IELTS 5.5, PTE 47, or Duolingo 95. Conditional admission may be available through ESL programs.

Tri-College University is a consortium allowing students to take courses at MSUM, NDSU, and Concordia College. Credits transfer seamlessly toward your degree.

MSUM offers 14+ graduate programs including MBA, M.S. in Counseling, M.S. in Nursing, M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology, MSW, MHA, and the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.
Gallery
;