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Downtown Moorhead, May 7, 2024Photo: Billybob2002 · CC BY 4.0
Colleges in and near Moorhead

Moorhead is home to two colleges, with 4,957 students on campus

Minnesota State University Moorhead (3,187 students on campus) and Concordia College at Moorhead (1,770) are inside the city, and North Dakota State University (11,083) is 3.3 miles from the center, just over the line in Fargo. About 14% of Moorhead’s residents are enrolled in college, above Minnesota (6%).

Minnesota State University MoorheadConcordia College at MoorheadNorth Dakota State University

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Moorhead. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
3
16,040 students on campus
Nearest college
0.7 mi
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Residents in college
14%
Above MN (6%)
Nearest community college
48.6 mi
White Earth Tribal and · $5,490 tuition
Nearest public university
0.7 mi
Minnesota State University Moorhead · $10,428 in-state
Median household income
$73K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Moorhead

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Three colleges within 3.3 milesMinnesota State University Moorhead admits 59% of applicants; Concordia College at Moorhead admits 63%; North Dakota State University admits 95%. Together they have 16,040 students on campus.In-state price at Minnesota State University MoorheadLiving in Minnesota, Minnesota State University Moorhead charges $10,428 in tuition and fees, the same for every student.A community college 48.6 miles awayWhite Earth Tribal and Community College in Mahnomen: tuition and fees $5,490 a year for Minnesota residents.Students are 14% of residentsAbove Minnesota (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Moorhead

One private college within 1.1 miles, and two public colleges within 3.3 miles.

5 mi10 mi15 miNorth Dakota StateMinnesota State University MoorheadMoorhead
University or collegeCommunity college
Minnesota State University MoorheadUniversity or college · Public · 3,187 on campus · In Moorhead59%admitted$18knet price57%graduate$51kearningsConcordia College at MoorheadUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,770 on campus · In Moorhead63%admitted$25knet price61%graduate$59kearningsNorth Dakota State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 11,083 on campus · 3.3 mi · Fargo, ND95%admitted$16knet price64%graduate$62kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Moorhead’s median household income ($72,761) falls.

North Dakota State University3.3 mi · Fargo, ND · sticker $23,716$11,923a year
Minnesota State University MoorheadIn Moorhead · sticker $25,197$13,907a year
Concordia College at MoorheadIn Moorhead · sticker $45,942$20,115a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Moorhead: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Minnesota State University MoorheadConcordia College at MoorheadNorth Dakota State
North Dakota State University64% graduate$62k earnings$23k typical debt
Minnesota State University Moorhead57% graduate$51k earnings$20k typical debt
Concordia College at Moorhead61% graduate$59k earnings$27k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Moorhead

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Moorhead’s 2 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 22%Health professions 17%Education 11%Biology 7%Psychology 6%Visual & performing arts 5%Everything else 32%

Biggest programs

Business Administration, Management and OperationsMinnesota State University Moorhead · 130 graduates a year
$64k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingMinnesota State University Moorhead · 98 graduates a year
$87k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsMinnesota State University Moorhead · 91 graduates a year
$45k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsConcordia College at Moorhead · 80 graduates a year
$64k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasMinnesota State University Moorhead · 58 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out
Social WorkMinnesota State University Moorhead · 54 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out
Psychology, GeneralMinnesota State University Moorhead · 49 graduates a year
$49k4 yrs out
Biology, GeneralConcordia College at Moorhead · 49 graduates a year
$65k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Moorhead

Is Moorhead a college town?

No. About 14 of every 100 Moorhead residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Minnesota (6). The largest campus in the city, Minnesota State University Moorhead, has 3,187 students on campus.

What colleges are in Moorhead?

Minnesota State University Moorhead and Concordia College at Moorhead are inside the city. North Dakota State University is 3.3 miles from the center, in Fargo, and White Earth Tribal and Community College is 48.6 miles away in Mahnomen.

What is the closest community college to Moorhead, and what does it cost?

White Earth Tribal and Community College in Mahnomen, 48.6 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,490 a year for Minnesota residents; the federal net price, $1,811, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Minnesota State University Moorhead cost if we live in Minnesota?

Tuition and fees are $10,428 a year in-state and $10,428 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $11,129 (under $30,000 income) to $22,420 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Moorhead. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →