Normandale Community College vs Minnesota State University Moorhead: which has better ROI?
Normandale Community College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $25,944 in 14 years versus 33.2 years at Minnesota State University Moorhead, on median earnings of $50,207 vs $50,527 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Normandale Community College | Minnesota State University Moorhead |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,972 | $17,997 |
| Total net cost | $25,944 | $71,988 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,207 | $50,527 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $20,000 |
| Payback | 14 yrs | 33.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $10,996 | -$28,648 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Normandale Community College or Minnesota State University Moorhead?
Normandale Community College, at $12,972 a year after aid versus $17,997 — a gap of $5,025 a year, or $46,044 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Normandale Community College or Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates earn more?
Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates report a median $50,527 ten years after entry, $320 more than the $50,207 at Normandale Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Normandale Community College or Minnesota State University Moorhead?
Normandale Community College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $20,000 at Minnesota State University Moorhead, a difference of $8,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
57% of students finish at Minnesota State University Moorhead, against 27% at Normandale Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.