Head-to-head comparison
Montana State University vs Montana State University-Northern: which has better ROI?
Option A Bozeman, MT
Montana State University
- Net price / year
- $22,499
- Earnings, 10 years
- $53,263
- Payback
- 18.4 yrs
Option B Havre, MT
Montana State University-Northern
- Net price / year
- $12,664
- Earnings, 10 years
- $49,505
- Payback
- 44.2 yrs
Montana State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,996 in 18.4 years versus 44.2 years at Montana State University-Northern, on median earnings of $53,263 vs $49,505 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Montana State University | Montana State University-Northern |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,499 | $12,664 |
| Total net cost | $89,996 | $50,656 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,263 | $49,505 |
| Median debt | $22,500 | $18,500 |
| Payback | 18.4 yrs | 44.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $8,064 | -$27,756 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Montana State University or Montana State University-Northern?
Montana State University-Northern, at $12,664 a year after aid versus $22,499 — a gap of $9,835 a year, or $39,340 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 Montana State University or Montana State University-Northern graduates earn more?
Montana State University graduates report a median $53,263 ten years after entry, $3,758 more than the $49,505 at Montana State University-Northern. 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, Montana State University or Montana State University-Northern?
Montana State University-Northern: its completers carry a median $18,500 in federal loans versus $22,500 at Montana State University, a difference of $4,000. 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?
57% of students finish at Montana State University, against 41% at Montana State University-Northern. 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.