Head-to-head · 2026
Montana State University-Northern vs University of Providence
Compare average net price ($12,664 at Montana State University-Northern; $17,649 at University of Providence), ROI score (9.77 vs 6.84), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($49,505 vs $48,296), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Montana State University-Northern; 50.3% at University of Providence) 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 | University of Providence |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.77 ✓ | 6.84 |
| Avg net price | $12,664 ✓ | $17,649 |
| 4-year avg net price | $50,656 ✓ | $70,596 |
| In-state tuition | $6,982 | $30,448 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $21,875 | $30,448 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $49,505 ✓ | $48,296 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 50.3% |
| Graduation rate | 41.1% ✓ | 27.9% |
| Retention rate | 63.9% | 72.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | $18,500 ✓ | $18,750 |
| Enrollment | 761 | 528 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | 980 |
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 | University of Providence |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,940 ✓ | $14,257 |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,242 ✓ | $11,616 |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,451 ✓ | $16,802 |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,315 ✓ | $22,545 |
| Family income $110k+ | $16,578 ✓ | $20,676 |
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 | University of Providence |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 14.1% | 21% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 14.4% | 4.2% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 6.5% | 0.7% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 4.3% | 2.5% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 2.2% | 1.9% |
| Biology, General | 1.4% | 1.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Montana State University-Northern reports the lower average net price by $4,985 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $19,940 difference over four years ($50,656 vs $70,596).
Montana State University-Northern reports $1,209 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,505 vs $48,296). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 63.9% at Montana State University-Northern and 72.2% at University of Providence. Median federal debt among completers is $18,500 vs $18,750, respectively.
6 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
Montana State University-Northern vs University of Providence, 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 $17,649 at University of Providence. The annual difference of $4,985 adds up to about $19,940 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 $48,296 at University of Providence. The gap in the federal data is $1,209. 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.