Head-to-head · 2026
Dawson Community College vs Montana State University-Northern
Compare average net price ($9,931 at Dawson Community College; $12,664 at Montana State University-Northern), ROI score (10.56 vs 9.77), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($41,951 vs $49,505), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Dawson Community College; Open / not reported at Montana State University-Northern) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Dawson Community College | Montana State University-Northern |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.56 ✓ | 9.77 |
| Avg net price | $9,931 ✓ | $12,664 |
| 4-year avg net price | $39,724 ✓ | $50,656 |
| In-state tuition | $5,010 | $6,982 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $9,810 | $21,875 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $41,951 | $49,505 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 45.1% ✓ | 41.1% |
| Retention rate | 54.5% | 63.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $9,450 ✓ | $18,500 |
| Enrollment | 189 | 761 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Dawson Community College | Montana State University-Northern |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $8,162 ✓ | $9,940 |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,157 ✓ | $9,242 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,970 ✓ | $12,451 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,438 ✓ | $16,315 |
| Family income $110k+ | $16,105 ✓ | $16,578 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Dawson Community College | Montana State University-Northern |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 71.2% | 9.4% |
| Precision Metal Working | 4.5% | 7.2% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 5.4% | 4.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.7% | 6.5% |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | 4.5% | 0.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Dawson Community College reports the lower average net price by $2,733 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $10,932 difference over four years ($39,724 vs $50,656).
Montana State University-Northern reports $7,554 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,505 vs $41,951). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 54.5% at Dawson Community College and 63.9% at Montana State University-Northern. Median federal debt among completers is $9,450 vs $18,500, respectively.
5 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Dawson Community College vs Montana State University-Northern, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Dawson Community College is cheaper — average net price $9,931 per year vs $12,664 at Montana State University-Northern. The annual difference of $2,733 adds up to about $10,932 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Montana State University-Northern reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $49,505 vs $41,951 at Dawson Community College. The gap in the federal data is $7,554. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.