Head-to-head · 2026
Montana State University-Northern vs The University of Montana
Compare average net price ($12,664 at Montana State University-Northern; $16,784 at The University of Montana), ROI score (9.77 vs 6.63), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($49,505 vs $44,511), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Montana State University-Northern; 95.9% at The University of Montana) 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 | Montana State University-Northern | The University of Montana |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.77 ✓ | 6.63 |
| Avg net price | $12,664 ✓ | $16,784 |
| 4-year avg net price | $50,656 ✓ | $67,136 |
| In-state tuition | $6,982 | $8,552 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $21,875 | $33,671 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $49,505 ✓ | $44,511 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 95.9% |
| Graduation rate | 41.1% | 48% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 63.9% | 74.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $18,500 ✓ | $22,400 |
| Enrollment | 761 | 7,488 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1190 |
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 | Montana State University-Northern | The University of Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,940 ✓ | $13,960 |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,242 ✓ | $14,892 |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,451 ✓ | $17,180 |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,315 ✓ | $19,269 |
| Family income $110k+ | $16,578 ✓ | $20,930 |
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 | Montana State University-Northern | The University of Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 14.4% | 5.3% |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 18.1% | 0.3% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 14.1% | 1.1% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 9.4% | 4.6% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 6.5% | 1.8% |
| Precision Metal Working | 7.2% | 0.7% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 5.1% | 0% |
| Biology, General | 1.4% | 1.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Montana State University-Northern reports the lower average net price by $4,120 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $16,480 difference over four years ($50,656 vs $67,136).
Montana State University-Northern reports $4,994 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,505 vs $44,511). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 63.9% at Montana State University-Northern and 74.8% at The University of Montana. Median federal debt among completers is $18,500 vs $22,400, respectively.
8 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.
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Frequently asked
Montana State University-Northern vs The University of Montana, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Montana State University-Northern is cheaper — average net price $12,664 per year vs $16,784 at The University of Montana. The annual difference of $4,120 adds up to about $16,480 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 $44,511 at The University of Montana. The gap in the federal data is $4,994. 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.