Minnesota State University Moorhead — ROI, Cost & Payback
Minnesota State University Moorhead charges a net price of $17,997/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $71,988. Graduates earn a median $50,527 ten years after entry, $2,167/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 33.2 years — a 20-year net return of -$28,648, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Minnesota State University Moorhead's 33.2-year payback ranks #1,146 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 11% of them, and #33 of 68 in Minnesota.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $17,997/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $71,988 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $50,527 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $2,167/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $20,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 33.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$28,648 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Minnesota State University Moorhead's own numbers. Net price $17,997 × 4 years = $71,988 total. Median earnings $50,527 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $2,167 a year of premium. $71,988 ÷ $2,167 = 33.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$28,648. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Minnesota State University Moorhead students graduate with?
A median $20,000 in federal loans among completers, or 40% of the $50,527 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Minnesota State University Moorhead students graduate?
57% finish their degree — 43% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $71,988 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $126,295 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Minnesota State University Moorhead expensive compared with other Minnesota colleges?
Its $17,997 net price runs $1,177 above the $16,821 median across the 68 Minnesota colleges we profile, or $4,706 more across the full degree.