Prospective Parents & Families

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Why Choose Minnesota State Moorhead?

Put simply, Moorhead graduates receive a world-class education.

Did you know 97.3% of Dragon graduates available for work are employed within a year of earning their degree? 

Students at Moorhead pursue their passions with 128 in-demand and dynamic majors, emphases and options to choose from.

Is Minnesota State Moorhead Affordable?

Moorhead is committed to ensuring your student’s success by tackling the financial challenges of earning a degree. Here are a few of the ways the out-of-pocket cost of attendance is reduced.

UNRIVALED VALUE

No matter what your home state is, work towards a degree with lower in-state tuition rates.

Qualify for huge scholarships based on GPA or test scores, and access 200+ competitive scholarships with one application.

Need-based tuition-free pathways for MN, ND and SD families are available.

Dragons can earn more credits for less thanks to banded tuition.

Is My Student on Track for Admission?

Check the freshman admission requirements to see if your student is on pace to become a Dragon.

Admission Requirements

How Do We Schedule a Campus Visit?

MSUM offers tours every weekday; our Fired Up Fridays visits include a special presentation. You can also schedule a visit on select Saturdays.

Visit Us

What Counseling Services Does Minnesota State Moorhead Offer?

The reports that as many as 44% of college students experience depression and anxiety. While college can be exciting, it can also be overwhelming. Minnesota State Moorhead Counseling Services supports students with stress management, social skills, and other mental health concerns. They offer group workshops, individual counseling, and virtual or in-person options—all for free.

Learn more about Moorhead Counseling Services

How Do First-time Students Apply?

Here’s what you need to know about Minnesota State Moorhead’s application, so you can guide your student through the process:

  • Visit mnstate.edu/apply to access the undergraduate application.
  • Create StarID: The first step is for your student to get a StarID. This username will serve as a common login across the university. They may already have a StarID if they took PSEO courses or applied to another Minnesota State school.
  • Begin application: Once your student has a StarID, log in to the . It will take you step by step through the information needed.
  • Please note that only the application questions with a red star are required. The application will ask for high school coursework, but this can be skipped. Demographic information is also voluntary.
  • Review and submit. That’s it!

What's Next for Admitted Students?

After your student is admitted, be sure they complete the next steps to become a Dragon. Keep an eye out for important dates, such as Financial Aid, Student Orientation and Registration and Housing Application deadlines. Your student should receive email and physical mail reminders as well as text messages if they opted-in. Use the form below to opt in to communications if you would like updates as well.

Student's Intended Enrollment Term:
Admissions Blog
  • Moorhead named a Best College in America by Money
    Minnesota State Moorhead has been recognized as one of Money’s Best Colleges in America 2025! Money’s analysis showcases the country’s top colleges based on graduation rates, cost of attendance, financial aid, alumni salaries, and more. Of the 2,400 four-year public and private nonprofit colleges in the U.S., only 732 meet the publication’s initial quality standards. These schools are then ranked […]
  • Minnesota State Moorhead expands global reach with new leadership, international recruitment strategy 
    Minnesota State Moorhead is taking bold steps to expand its enrollment through strategic international partnerships and enhanced graduate program offerings.  In recent years, Moorhead has leveraged the time and talent of faculty traveling overseas to assist in international recruitment, but this month, the university is participating in its first-ever intentional, structured recruitment initiative outside the United States.  Dean of Admissions […]
  • What parents think about MSUM 
    Parents can trust that their students will be supported at 色狼窝. Read what Chad and Jennifer Mattson say about their daughter Jordan’s experience as a Dragon:  “Jordan chose 色狼窝 (MSUM) for multiple reasons. Firstly, the university’s reputation for its high-quality education program stood out prominently. Secondly, the appeal of smaller class sizes offered a […]
  • 4 tips for parents and families before National Decision Day
    May 1st – or National Decision Day for prospective college students – is just around the corner. If you or someone in your family has been accepted to MSUM we want to know – are you ready to be a Dragon? If you’re ready, it’s time to accept your admission! You can do this today using our online portal. Once […]
  • MSU Moorhead delivers value and affordability
    Larger scholarships, in-state and banded tuition, a tuition freeze, and the North Star Promise Scholarship make MSUM an outstanding value.
  • Colleges and Universities of Minnesota State Freeze Undergraduate Tuition
    The tuition freeze will keep undergraduate rates the same through Spring 2025.
  • How do I know what questions to ask my admissions rep?
    We’ve all been there. Someone asks “do you have any questions for me?” and your mind goes completely blank. If you’re looking for a starting point to help you on your higher ed journey, look no further! Here are a few questions you’ll want to ask your admissions rep. 1. What do I need to mark in my calendar? To […]
  • 5 tips to make Admitted Student Day great
    Now that you’ve been admitted to MSUM it’s time to begin planning your first year as a Dragon! That’s why we hold Admitted Student Day events each year. Even if you’re not 100% sure about joining us in the fall, we want you to come to the event – you might find just the thing that leads you to accept […]
  • This is your year!
    2020 is the year. The year you close the chapter on one part of your life, and a fresh page will open in front of you. The year you will start your higher education journey, and perhaps, the year you discover your Dragon Pride. We’re pretty excited about all the potential Dragons we see every day in the Admissions Office […]
  • Adventures in Admissions
    It’s a short week in the Admissions office before we gobble up our turkey and pumpkin pie followed by a post-feast nap, but Mai See and Audrey will be doing a few visits! On Tuesday, November 26 Audrey will be visiting the UCenter at Alexandria Technical and Community College to consult with transfer students. Mai See will be meeting with […]
  • Adventures in Admissions
    We have a very busy week coming up! Admissions reps will be sharing their Dragon Pride in the following cities: Monday, November 18 Jared will be at Sauk Centre High School, Holdingford High School, and Rocori High School MaKayla will be at Wahpeton High School, Hankinson High School, Sargent Central, and North Sargent High Schools. Tuesday, November 19 Jered will […]
  • Adventures in Admissions
    Members of the Admissions team will be visiting schools and attending fairs in the following cities this week: Tuesday, November 12 Kenzie will visit Harbor City International School, Denfeld High School, and Esko High School Mai See will be attending the TCRAR Counselor Luncheon MaKayla will visit schools in Enderlin, Lisbon, and Milnor, ND Wednesday, November 13 Kenzie will be […]
  • Adventures in Admissions
    Reps from the Admissions office will be traveling to quite a few cities this week to meet potential new Dragons. Monday, November 4 Mai See will be attending college fairs at Washburn High School and Woodbury High School Samantha will meet with transfer students at Pine Tech CC in Pine City, MN MaKayla will meet students at Crookston High School […]
  • Adventures in Admissions
    Thank you to everyone who helped us make Preview Days a smashing success! This week our reps are back on the road visiting schools. Monday, 10/21 MaKayla will be at Carrington High School’s career fair Madison will be visiting schools in New York Mills, Henning, Kennedy, and Breckenridge Mai See will be at Eastview Senior High School in Apple Valley, […]
  • Adventures in Admissions
    Admissions representatives will be on the road this week, visiting potential Dragons in the following cities: Monday, Sept. 9 MaKayla will be at Mandan High School from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Bismarck High School from 1:00 p.m to 2:30 p.m., and Bismarck State College from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Scott will be at Warroad High School from 9:00 […]
  • Your journey about to begin! Tips for move in day
    Welcome to your new home! And get excited! Are you starting to wonder about what to bring to campus in the fall? Move-in day is just around the corner, so you better start prepping now. We couldn’t be more excited to have you here on campus with us. Let’s look at our suggestions of what to bring and master tips […]
  • Counting the ways to love MSUM
    Sometimes when you need to make an important decision you need to check the cold, hard facts and figures. Fortunately, we keep a good record of the important things. 141 majors, emphases, and options At MSUM we promise all students the opportunity to develop passions that will help them shape the world and transform lives. We accomplish this by providing […]
  • #TakeFlight with MSUM
    You’ve accepted your admission to MSUM. Awesome! If you haven’t already, you should be receiving your graduation packet in the mail soon. Inside your packet you’ll find the MSUM Take Flight flag. We want you to share your excitement about being a Dragon by taking a photo with your Take Flight flag and sharing it on social media with the […]
  • Congratulations Graduates
    The Admissions department wishes to extend a big congratulations to the following members of our student staff on their upcoming graduation. Karissa LamontWhitney WelderGabrielle Williams Jessica ColbyJospehine HubodaKatelyn LillisRebecca BenjaminAli HoffmanShelby HeynRozynna Amatya Thank you so much for everything you do for us. We wish you the best on your next great adventure. Go Dragons!
  • Adventures in Admissions
    Representatives from the Admissions Office are planning visits this week to the following locations and events. Monday, May 6th •  MaKayla Schroeder will be visiting Carrington High School and Jamestown High School•  Scott Westby will be visiting West Fargo High School from 8:40 – 10:30 am Tuesday, May 7th •  Audrey Cloe Messner will be visiting Alexandria Technical & Community […]

Contact the Office of Admissions

If you have questions please let us know, we would be happy to help.

Contact Us