Exhibit 23.4

                        Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-4) and related Prospectus of McLeodUSA
Incorporated for the registration of 33,275,152 shares of its Class A Common
Stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
February 26, 1999, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
Ovation Communications, Inc. as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 and for the
period from March 27, 1997 (inception) to December 31, 1997 and the year ended
December 31, 1998, included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4
(No. 333-71811) of McLeodUSA Incorporated filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.


                                        /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 1, 2000