Students at Minnesota State University Moorhead achieve above-average long-term earnings while keeping educational costs reasonable and manageable.
The university's focus on career-oriented programs in high-demand fields like nursing and business helps graduates build stable, middle-class careers.
Minnesota State University Moorhead ranks as a solid mid-tier public institution, delivering above-average long-term earnings outcomes while maintaining reasonable affordability for most families. Located in Moorhead, Minnesota, this medium-sized public university serves about 27% Pell Grant recipients and 20% first-generation students, providing accessible pathways to degree completion and career success.
The university's graduates earn a median of $50,527 ten years after enrollment, placing it in the 61st percentile nationally for earnings outcomes among public institutions. This performance reflects the institution's strength in professional programs like nursing, business administration, and education, which consistently lead to stable career paths with solid earning potential. The university maintains a 55% six-year graduation rate, demonstrating its ability to support students through degree completion.
As a regional public university, Minnesota State Moorhead offers the personal attention of a medium-sized institution while providing access to career-focused programs that serve the economic needs of Minnesota and the broader upper Midwest region. The combination of reasonable net prices, manageable debt levels, and strong outcomes in key professional fields makes it a practical choice for students seeking reliable return on their educational investment.
Minnesota State University Moorhead's program portfolio centers on practical, career-focused fields that align with regional employment needs and provide reliable pathways to middle-class careers. Business Administration and Management stands out as both the largest program, graduating 136 students, and the highest aggregate return major, combining substantial enrollment with solid median earnings of $41,689. This program serves as an economic engine for the university, preparing students for management roles across various industries in the upper Midwest.
The university's strongest individual earnings outcomes come from Adult Health Nursing, where 76 graduates earn a median of $64,865, reflecting the high demand and competitive compensation for healthcare professionals. Adult and Continuing Education, with 123 graduates earning around $36,866, represents the institution's commitment to preparing educators and training professionals who serve critical community needs.
While Psychology graduates see more modest early-career earnings at $29,866, this reflects the field's typical requirement for additional education to access higher-paying positions. The university's program mix emphasizes professional preparation over purely academic disciplines, creating a portfolio that prioritizes employment readiness and career stability. This focus on practical, regionally relevant programs helps explain why graduates achieve consistent, reliable earnings that support long-term financial security in Minnesota and surrounding states.
Minnesota State University Moorhead delivers solid long-term financial outcomes for graduates, with median earnings of $50,527 ten years after enrollment. This places the university in the 61st percentile nationally for earnings, representing above-average performance among public institutions. While graduates don't dramatically outperform expectations compared to similar students elsewhere, they achieve steady, reliable earnings that support middle-class lifestyles and career advancement.
The university's strongest financial returns come from its professional programs. Adult Health Nursing leads with median earnings of $64,865, reflecting the strong demand for healthcare professionals in the region. Business Administration and Management, the university's largest program with 136 graduates, produces median earnings of $41,689 while serving as the highest aggregate return program due to its scale. Adult and Continuing Education graduates earn around $36,866, providing solid outcomes for those entering education careers. Psychology graduates see more modest early-career earnings at $29,866, typical for a field that often requires additional education for higher-paying positions.
The university's program mix emphasizes practical, career-focused fields that align with regional employment needs. Business and education programs form the core of the degree portfolio, both linked to stable career paths with predictable advancement opportunities. This focus on professional preparation helps explain why graduates achieve consistent, if not spectacular, earnings outcomes that support long-term financial stability.
Minnesota State University Moorhead maintains reasonable affordability across income levels, with net prices that align closely with typical public university costs. Low-income students pay approximately $13,260 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $14,544 per year. Even high-income families face manageable expenses at $21,573 annually, creating predictable pricing that helps families plan their educational investment over four years.
The university's debt structure supports sustainable borrowing patterns for most students. Typical graduates leave with $20,000 in federal student loan debt, a moderate level that aligns with the institution's solid earnings outcomes. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $10,000, indicating that many families can cover substantial portions of college costs through grants, work, and savings rather than relying heavily on parent loans. With median graduate earnings near $50,527, most borrowers can handle standard repayment terms without significant financial strain.
What makes Minnesota State Moorhead particularly sustainable is the alignment between borrowing levels and post-graduation earning capacity. The university's focus on career-oriented programs in nursing, business, and education means graduates typically enter stable employment with predictable income growth, making debt repayment manageable within standard timeframes.
Minnesota State University Moorhead Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
