Head-to-head comparison
Minnesota State University Moorhead vs Alexandria Technical & Community College: which has better ROI?
Option A Moorhead, MN
Minnesota State University Moorhead
- Net price / year
- $17,997
- Earnings, 10 years
- $50,527
- Payback
- 33.2 yrs
Option B Alexandria, MN
Alexandria Technical & Community College
- Net price / year
- $13,691
- Earnings, 10 years
- $49,393
- Payback
- 26.5 yrs
Alexandria Technical & Community College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $27,382 in 26.5 years versus 33.2 years at Minnesota State University Moorhead, on median earnings of $49,393 vs $50,527 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Minnesota State University Moorhead | Alexandria Technical & Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,997 | $13,691 |
| Total net cost | $71,988 | $27,382 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,527 | $49,393 |
| Median debt | $20,000 | $12,000 |
| Payback | 33.2 yrs | 26.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$28,648 | -$6,722 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Minnesota State University Moorhead or Alexandria Technical & Community College?
Alexandria Technical & Community College, at $13,691 a year after aid versus $17,997 — a gap of $4,306 a year, or $44,606 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Minnesota State University Moorhead or Alexandria Technical & Community College graduates earn more?
Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates report a median $50,527 ten years after entry, $1,134 more than the $49,393 at Alexandria Technical & 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Minnesota State University Moorhead or Alexandria Technical & Community College?
Alexandria Technical & 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.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
60% of students finish at Alexandria Technical & Community College, against 57% at Minnesota State University Moorhead. 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.