Minnesota State University Moorhead: Rankings, Courses, Admissions, Tuition Fee, Cost of Attendance & Scholarships

Minnesota State University Moorhead: Rankings, Courses, Admissions, Tuition Fee, Cost of Attendance & Scholarships

Moorhead, MinnesotaLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1887established year
5836enrollment
NCA
Public
8.7/10
Study Abroad Team's profile photo

Study Abroad Team

Updated on - Sep 22, 2026

Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public regional university in Moorhead, Minnesota, ranked #49 in the US News Best Regional Universities Midwest 2026 list. Founded in 1887, MSUM sits on the Red River across from Fargo, North Dakota, forming a twin-campus city of over 240,000 residents.

The university offers 82 undergraduate majors, 15 graduate programs, and 38 certificate courses across business, computing, nursing, education, and creative arts, all taught in English. Indian applicants find MSUM through its affordable public tuition, an automatic in-state waiver for international admits, and STEM-designated master programs that qualify for a 36-month OPT window. The university runs two intakes for international applicants and enrolls students across 58 nationalities, alongside its listing among the top public universities on USA universities for cost-conscious Indian families.

  • US News Rank: #49 in Regional Universities Midwest 2026
  • Acceptance Rate: 65% (estimated) for undergraduate admission
  • Intakes: Fall (August) and Spring (January)
  • Graduate Tuition Range: $8,910 to $20,515 per year (₹8.42 to ₹19.39 Lakh)
  • International Students: Approximately 414 students from 58 countries
  • Top Public Schools Rank: #12 in US News Midwest 2026

MSUM sets tuition through the Minnesota State system board, and all admitted international undergraduates automatically receive the in-state rate. This drops the sticker tuition to $9,944 per year for foreign students. Indian applicants must plan for F-1 visa financial verification and campus housing before arrival, with fuller context available on the study in USA guide.


Exchange rate used: 1 USD = ₹94.5 as of September 2026

Admission Status: Open (Fall 2027 intake). Applications for Fall 2027 undergraduate admission opened on September 1, 2026 and close May 1, 2027. Final documents are due June 1, 2027. Spring 2027 applications closed on September 15, 2026. Indian applicants should now target the Fall 2027 window or the Spring 2028 cycle, which is expected to open January 25, 2027 and close September 15, 2027. Graduate programs run rolling admissions with program-specific priority dates.

Popular Courses and Fees at Minnesota State University Moorhead 2027

Minnesota State University Moorhead charges a flat international undergraduate tuition of $9,944 per year and variable graduate tuition ranging from $8,910 to $20,515 depending on the program. All programs are delivered in English on the Moorhead campus, with the MBA structured as a one-year accelerated track. For comparative context across MBA universities in USA, MSUM sits at the lower fee end.

The postgraduate table below lists tuition-only annual costs; full cost of attendance including housing and fees is covered in Section 5.

ProgramAnnual Tuition (USD)Annual Tuition (INR)Entry Requirement
MBA (1-year accelerated)$20,515₹19.39 LakhBachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended); GMAT waived for most applicants
MS Business Analytics$15,924₹15.05 LakhBachelor’s with 55% in a quantitative field (recommended)
MS Project Management$17,897₹16.91 LakhBachelor’s with 55% (recommended); two years work experience preferred
MS Cybersecurity$12,199₹11.53 LakhBachelor’s in CS, IT, or related field with 55% (recommended)
MS Speech-Language Pathology$15,220 (estimated)₹14.39 Lakh (estimated)Bachelor’s in CSD or related; CSD prerequisites required

Undergraduate tuition is uniform across majors under the Minnesota State system in-state waiver. The five most-chosen undergraduate programs by international students are listed below.

ProgramAnnual Tuition (USD)Annual Tuition (INR)Entry Requirement
BS Computer Science$9,944₹9.40 LakhClass 12 with 60% (recommended); TOEFL iBT 61
BS Nursing$9,944₹9.40 LakhClass 12 with 65% science stream (recommended)
BBA Business Administration$9,944₹9.40 LakhClass 12 with 60% (recommended)
BFA Graphic Design$9,944₹9.40 LakhClass 12 with 55% (recommended); portfolio required
BS Construction Management$9,944₹9.40 LakhClass 12 with 60% (recommended)

Insider note: Indian graduate applicants at MSUM cluster in the MBA, MS Business Analytics, and MS Cybersecurity because these three carry STEM status or waived-GMAT admission.

Read More: Minnesota State University Moorhead Programs and Fees Guide


Minnesota State University Moorhead Admission 2027

Minnesota State University Moorhead runs two intakes per year for international applicants, with Fall (August) as the primary window for Indian students. Undergraduate applications carry fixed deadlines and most graduate programs run on rolling review with priority dates.

Minnesota State University Moorhead Undergraduate Admission Dates 2027

The Fall 2027 undergraduate admission cycle is now open for Indian applicants.

MilestoneDateNotes for Indian Applicants
Fall 2027 UG application closeMay 1, 2027Six-month lead recommended for Indian applicants
Fall 2027 UG document deadlineJune 1, 2027Final transcripts and financial verification due
Fall 2027 UG program startAugust 2027New freshmen must live on campus per MSUM policy
Spring 2028 UG application windowJanuary 25, 2027 to September 15, 2027Best for students needing extra prep time

Minnesota State University Moorhead Graduate Admission Dates 2027

Graduate programs at MSUM use rolling admissions with per-program priority dates.

MilestoneDateNotes for Indian Applicants
PG Fall 2027 priority deadlineVaries by program; verify at official pageApply four to six months before intended start
PG credential evaluation (WES or NACES)Start 8 weeks before priority dateCourse-by-course evaluation required

Planning note: Indian applicants must apply for the F-1 student visa only after receiving the I-20 form from MSUM.

Read More: Minnesota State University Moorhead Admissions Guide for Indian Students


Minnesota State University Moorhead Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027

Indian applicants to MSUM must satisfy academic, English proficiency, and financial verification requirements published on the official admissions page.

Postgraduate:

  • Academic: Four-year bachelor’s degree with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended); three-year Indian bachelor’s is reviewed case-by-case
  • English test minimums: TOEFL iBT 78-80, IELTS 6.5 overall, or Duolingo English Test 120
  • Credential evaluation: Course-by-course WES or NACES report required with the application
  • Financial verification: Sponsor form plus bank statement showing $26,198 to $34,514 (₹24.76 to ₹32.62 Lakh) per year depending on program

Undergraduate:

  • Academic: Class 12 with 60% (recommended) and cumulative 2.5 GPA on 4.0 scale
  • English test minimums: TOEFL iBT 61 (legacy) or 3.5+ on the 2026 band scale, IELTS 5.5, Duolingo 95, PTE Academic 50, ITEP 3.7
  • Financial verification: Bank statement showing $29,023 (₹27.43 Lakh) per year

Key insight: Indian applicants from English-medium bachelor’s programs can request an IELTS or TOEFL waiver by submitting a signed medium-of-instruction letter from the parent university.


Minnesota State University Moorhead Acceptance Rate 2027

Minnesota State University Moorhead reports an undergraduate acceptance rate of approximately 65% (estimated), placing it in the moderately selective band for US regional public universities. The figure reflects fall freshman admission and is directional rather than program-specific.

YearAcceptance RateTrend
2025-2665% (estimated)Stable

Graduate acceptance rates are not published centrally at MSUM. Indian applicants meeting the recommended academic and English thresholds have a strong probability of admission for most programs.

Reality check: A 65% headline rate does not guarantee admission for MBA or MS Nursing programs, which apply program-level selectivity beyond the university baseline.

Read More: Minnesota State University Moorhead Acceptance Rate


Minnesota State University Moorhead Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027

The total annual cost for Indian undergraduate students at MSUM is approximately $30,432 (₹28.76 Lakh) covering tuition, on-campus housing, meals, fees, and health insurance. Graduate cost varies by program from $26,655 to $34,971 per year.

Minnesota State University Moorhead Tuition Fees for Indian Students 2027

Tuition for international students uses the automatic in-state rate under the Minnesota State system policy.

LevelAnnual Tuition (USD)Annual Tuition (INR)
Undergraduate (12-18 credits)$9,944₹9.40 Lakh
Graduate (varies by program)$8,910 to $20,515₹8.42 to ₹19.39 Lakh

Minnesota State University Moorhead Monthly Cost of Living in Moorhead

MSUM publishes an official 2026-27 cost of attendance breakdown covering campus and personal expenses for international students, useful when planning your study in USA budget.

CategoryMonthly (USD)Monthly (INR)Annual (INR)
On-campus Housing and Meals$989₹93,500₹11.22 Lakh
Health Insurance$246₹23,250₹2.79 Lakh
Personal Expenses$208₹19,700₹2.36 Lakh
Books and Course Materials$83₹7,850₹0.95 Lakh
Total (Non-tuition)$1,527₹1.44 Lakh₹17.32 Lakh

[Source: Minnesota State University Moorhead 2026-27 official international cost of attendance]

Insider note: Off-campus rent in Moorhead runs $500 to $700 per month for a shared apartment, cheaper than similar housing across the river in Fargo.

Read More: Cost of Living in USA for International Students


Minnesota State University Moorhead Campus, Facilities and Student Life

The MSUM campus spans 119 acres in Moorhead, Minnesota, adjacent to Fargo, North Dakota, forming a metropolitan area of over 240,000 residents with Hector International Airport 15 minutes from campus.

  • Housing: All new freshmen must live on campus in one of five residence halls; housing guarantee available for two years
  • Key facilities: Livingston Lord Library, Nemzek Wellness Center, Regional Science Center, and Roland Dille Center for the Arts
  • Athletics: NCAA Division II Dragons compete in 14 varsity sports across the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
  • International community: 414 students from 58 countries, with an active Intercultural Center offering Indian student events
  • Transportation: Free MATBUS city pass for enrolled students covering Moorhead and Fargo routes

What Indian students say: Winters run cold with heavy snowfall, so budget for a heavy-duty coat before arrival. Fargo airport handles connecting flights via Minneapolis-St Paul with reliable schedules for Delhi and Mumbai returns.


Minnesota State University Moorhead Scholarships 2027

Minnesota State University Moorhead offers more than 300 scholarships across its foundation and departmental funds, with international admits automatically considered for the university-level merit award.

ScholarshipTypeAward ValueEligibilityDeadline
Automatic International ScholarshipMeritVaries by academic profileAdmitted international undergraduate students; maintain 2.0 GPA and 10 volunteer hours per semesterAwarded automatically at admission
MSUM Alumni Foundation ScholarshipsMerit and NeedVerify at official portalEnrolled international students across departments and collegesOctober 1 to February 1 annually

The Alumni Foundation pool is funded by donors and administered per college and department. Indian students must be enrolled at MSUM before applying for these awards through the single online scholarship application.

Planning note: The Automatic International Scholarship arrives inside the admission decision letter, so no separate application is needed for first-year funding.

Read More: Minnesota State University Moorhead Scholarships Guide


Minnesota State University Moorhead Rankings 2027

Minnesota State University Moorhead is a regional public university and features in the US News Best Regional Universities Midwest table rather than the global research rankings. It moved up to #49 in 2026 from #54 the year before.

Ranking BodyLatest EditionPrevious EditionTwo Editions Back
US News Regional Universities Midwest2026: #492025: #54NA
US News Top Public Schools (Midwest)2026: #12NANA
QS World University RankingsNot ranked in QS 2027NANA
Times Higher Education WorldNot ranked in THE 2026NANA

[Source: US News Best Colleges 2026 edition]

Key insight: Indian F-1 visa officers accept US News regional-tier ranks as valid academic credibility, so absence from QS or THE does not affect visa approval odds.

Read More: Minnesota State University Moorhead Rankings Analysis


Minnesota State University Moorhead Placements and Career Outcomes 2027

Minnesota State University Moorhead does not publish a central placement report, so career outcomes are best read via its OPT-eligible program mix and regional employer network in the Fargo-Moorhead metro.

  • Post-study work: 12-month OPT for all F-1 graduates; 36 months for STEM-designated majors including Computer Science, Cybersecurity, and Business Analytics
  • Career services: Career Development Center offers résumé reviews, mock interviews, and on-campus recruiting fairs each semester
  • Median salary: Not disclosed at university level; regional Midwest MBA median starting salaries reference market data
  • Employer sectors: Regional recruiters span healthcare, banking, IT services, education, and agriculture
  • Further reading: Broader outcomes context appears in the study MBA in the USA guide

Insider note: Indian MBA and MS graduates in the Fargo-Moorhead metro find early roles with Sanford Health, Microsoft Fargo, and Bell Bank campus recruiters.

Minnesota State University Moorhead vs Peer Universities

MSUM competes with other Minnesota State system publics and the neighboring North Dakota State University for Indian applicants targeting affordable Midwest options, alongside broader picks across MS universities in USA.

UniversityUS News Regional Midwest 2026Approx Annual UG Tuition (International)Differentiator
Minnesota State University Moorhead#49$9,944 (₹9.40 Lakh)Auto in-state waiver; STEM-designated MS Business Analytics and Cybersecurity
St. Cloud State UniversityNANALarger Minnesota State system peer with broader graduate portfolio
Bemidji State UniversityNANASmaller Minnesota State peer focused on regional teaching programs
North Dakota State UniversityNANAR1 research public across the river in Fargo with engineering strength

MSUM stands out on affordability because the auto in-state waiver keeps international tuition under $10,000 per year. Its STEM-designated MS tracks give Indian graduates a 36-month OPT runway.

Key insight: MSUM undercuts the sticker tuition at NDSU across the river, which makes it a value pick for Indian students who prefer the same metro at lower cost.

Minnesota State University Moorhead fits Indian students who want an affordable public US degree with STEM OPT rights, a total four-year investment near ₹115 Lakh for undergraduates, and access to a Midwest metro with steady healthcare and IT recruiters. The auto in-state waiver and the campus-required freshman housing add up to a predictable, low-friction pathway for first-time international students.

MSUM is not the right fit if you want a QS top-200 research brand, a large Indian alumni cluster in top-tier consulting, or coastal city placements. Applicants after those outcomes should compare with public flagships like the University of Minnesota Twin Cities before committing.


Minnesota State University Moorhead FAQs

Ques. Does Minnesota State University Moorhead require GRE for its master’s programs?

Ans. Most MSUM master’s programs including the MBA, MS Business Analytics, and MS Cybersecurity waive GRE and GMAT for international applicants who meet the recommended undergraduate GPA. Program pages carry the final call, so Indian applicants should confirm at the department admission page. STEM-heavy tracks may request GRE if the undergraduate transcript is borderline on the recommended 55% threshold.

Ques. Can Indian students work part-time while studying at MSUM?

Ans. Yes, F-1 visa holders may work up to 20 hours per week on campus during the academic term and 40 hours per week during breaks. Off-campus work needs Curricular Practical Training or Optional Practical Training authorisation through the university international office. Most MSUM Indian students take on-campus roles in dining, library, or department assistant positions during their first year.

Ques. Which programs at Minnesota State University Moorhead are STEM-designated for OPT extension?

Ans. MSUM lists Computer Science, MS Business Analytics, MS Cybersecurity, MS Operations Management, and several engineering technology tracks as STEM-designated. Graduates from these programs qualify for a 24-month OPT extension on top of the standard 12-month OPT, totalling 36 months of post-study work. Confirm the CIP code on the individual program page before applying.

Ques. How much bank balance do Indian applicants need for the MSUM I-20 form?

Ans. Undergraduate applicants must show $29,023 (₹27.43 Lakh) per year in liquid funds. Graduate applicants must show between $26,198 and $34,514 (₹24.76 to ₹32.62 Lakh) per year depending on program. Funds can be split across a sponsor bank statement, an education loan sanction letter, and personal savings. Dependents add $7,000 for the first and $6,000 for each additional dependent per year.

Ques. Is an IELTS waiver available for Indian applicants at MSUM?

Ans. Yes, MSUM waives the IELTS or TOEFL requirement for applicants from English-medium bachelor’s programs who submit a signed medium-of-instruction letter from the parent university. The letter must be on institutional letterhead and confirm that all coursework was delivered and examined in English. Applicants from non-English medium schooling must submit TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE scores.

Ques. Which Indian loan providers finance an MSUM master’s degree?

Ans. MSUM is on the approved list of most Indian public sector banks including SBI, Bank of Baroda, and Canara Bank for education loans up to ₹40 Lakh. Private lenders like HDFC Credila, Avanse, and Auxilo also finance MSUM degrees against collateral or co-signer income. Loan sanction letters count towards the I-20 financial verification requirement when combined with sponsor bank statements.

Ques. Does Minnesota State University Moorhead accept 3-year Indian bachelor’s degrees for graduate admission?

Ans. MSUM reviews three-year Indian bachelor’s degrees on a case-by-case basis after a course-by-course WES or NACES credential evaluation. Applicants often need to demonstrate an additional postgraduate diploma or one year of relevant work experience to meet the four-year equivalency standard. Some programs like the MBA may accept three-year degrees directly if the GPA is strong and the evaluation confirms 120 US credit hours.

Ques. What is the application fee at MSUM for international applicants?

Ans. The international undergraduate application fee at Minnesota State University Moorhead is $20 USD, payable by credit card at the time of online submission. Graduate application fees vary by program but typically fall in the $20 to $40 USD range. MSUM does not routinely waive the application fee for international students, so budget this small non-refundable cost when planning the application timeline.

Top Recommended Courses


2 years
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: IELTS5.5|TOEFL61|PTE47
USD 14,620 /Yr

2 years
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: IELTS5.5|TOEFL61|PTE47
USD 14,620 /Yr

Do you think the fees are wrong ?  Report Here

4 years
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: IELTS5.5|TOEFL61|PTE47|Duolingo95
USD 26,585 /Yr
4 years
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: IELTS5.5|TOEFL61|PTE47|Duolingo95
USD 26,585 /Yr
4 years
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: IELTS5.5|TOEFL61|PTE47|Duolingo95
USD 26,585 /Yr

Do you think the fees are wrong ?  Report Here

Minnesota State University Moorhead Ranking

2025

US News logo
Health Care 81 out of 96 in Global Ranking
( #27 out of 80 in USA 2025)

Do you think the Rankings are wrong ?  Report Here

Minnesota State University Moorhead Ratings

Based on 2 Students Rating

8.7 out of 10
9.0/10Academic
8.5/10Accommodation
9.0/10Faculty
8.5/10Infrastructure
9.0/10Placement
8.0/10Social Life

Minnesota State University Moorhead Reviews


StreamDegree TypeStudent StatusNationalityBatchCourse
Sort By :
Newest First

Public Relations (1)
Sciences (1)
Advertising (1)
Activity (1)
Application (1)
Difficulty (1)
Housing (1)
Include (1)
Internship (1)
Placement (1)
Program (1)
Psychology (1)
Scholarship (1)
School (1)
Science (1)
Technology (1)
Tuition (1)
Variety (1)

2 Reviews Found

Overview

My overall experience at Minnesota State University Moorhead has been great. I have learned a lot but sometimes I wish I went to a bigger school. I chose this because of the financial I could pay for it compared to other colleges, and my classes transferred.

Campus Life

9

Clubs are awesome, and there are a lot of study spots on campus, from the library to the CMU.

academic: 9/10
faculty: 9/10
infrastructure: 9/10
accomodation: 9/10
placement: 9/10
extracurricular: 7/10

EH
8.7 /10

Overview

MSUM felt comfortable to be and was in the location of a somewhat smaller city next to a larger city. They offer a good psychology program and smaller sized classes. The cost was a good amount as it is in state college.

Fees

Fees included technology, athletic, housing, food, activity, tuition, books, and other miscellaneous fees.

academic: 9/10
faculty: 9/10
infrastructure: 8/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 9/10
extracurricular: 9/10

Minnesota State University Moorhead Scholarships


NameScholarship Per StudentLevel of StudyType
BeArt Presets-Academic ScholarshipScholarship per student$2,500Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
Chuan Ai Lu Engstrom Memorial ScholarshipScholarship per student$1,000Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
Jagdish Bhagwati FellowshipScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyBachelorTypeCollege-Specific
Bharat Petroleum ScholarshipScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyMasterTypeMerit-Based
Comindware ScholarshipScholarship per student$4,000Level Of StudyApprenticeshipTypeMerit-Based
Forktip Women’s- Innovation ScholarshipScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyBachelorTypeCollege-Specific

Do you think the Scholarship is wrong ?  Report Here

Minnesota State University Moorhead Admissions

Application Portal: https://www.mnstate.edu/apply/

  • Early Action Deadlines

    Important Date: November1 (Application deadline)
    Important Date: April1 (Application results)
  • Regular Decision Deadlines

    Important Date: January15 (Application deadline)
    Important Date: April1 (Application results)

Minnesota State University Moorhead Exam Scores

ExamsAvg. ScoreMin ScoreMax. Score%Submitted'
Language Proficiency
TOEFL7878120-
IELTS-5.5--
Undergraduate
SAT105593011802
Check Detailed Score
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing490430550-
Mathematics565500630-
ACT23202596
Check Detailed Score
English221925-
Mathematics221925-

Attendance Cost

$29,652

attendance cost

The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees

Tuition fees
Undergraduate Programs
$29,652 / Year
Post Graduate Program
$15,306 / Year
On Campus
Books & Supplies
$800 / Year
On campus, Room & Board
$9,008 / Year
On Campus, Other Expenses
$3,470 / Year
Off Campus
Off campus (not with family), Room & Board
$9,008 / Year
Off campus (not with family), Other Expenses
$3,470 / Year
Off campus (with family), Room & Board
$3,470 / Year
Off campus (with family), Other Expenses
$3,470 / Year

Minnesota State University Moorhead Accreditations

Institutional accreditations
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Program wise accreditation
Arts Programs
National Association of Schools of Art and Design
Music Programs
National Association of Schools of Music
Nursing Programs
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Programs
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Faculty

Total FacultyFull TimePart TimeGraduate Assistants
50902691239920

Comments


No Comments To Show

interested in this College ?

Get free counselling