CMA vs. Montana State University-Northern

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CA with Montana State University Northern in Havre, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Montana State University Northern is larger than CMA based on total student enrollment (966 students vs. 837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Maritime Academy is located in Vallejo, CA (Midsize City setting); Montana State University Northern is in Havre, MT (Remote Town setting).
• California State University Maritime Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Montana State University Northern is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Maritime Academy 11:1; Montana State University Northern 13:1.

CMA vs. Montana State University-Northern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMA or Montana State University-Northern? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Montana State University Northern than CMA ($9,961 vs. $19,040).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University Northern are 49.2% lower than at California State University Maritime Academy ($7,384 vs. $14,536).
• California State University Maritime Academy is 42.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Montana State University-Northern (about $2,962 more per year; $9,944.00 vs. $6,982.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at CMA than at Montana State University Northern (about $669 more per year; $22,544.00 vs. $21,875.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University Northern than at California State University Maritime Academy (81% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Maritime Academy students is 54.1% larger than aid received by Montana State University Northern students ($11,038 vs. $7,163).

CMA vs. Montana State University-Northern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMA or Montana State University-Northern? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Montana State University-Northern and CMA.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMA - Test-free; Montana State University-Northern - Not reported.
• Typical fall application deadline: CMA Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman CMA students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Montana State University-Northern (2.79).

CMA vs. Montana State University-Northern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMA and Montana State University-Northern? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Maritime Academy's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Montana State University Northern's (19%).
• Graduates from California State University Maritime Academy earn a median of about $50,400 more per year than Montana State University-Northern graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $40,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montana State University Northern graduates have a $10,186 lower median loan debt than CMA graduates ($15,340 vs. $25,526).
• Among borrowers, Montana State University-Northern graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMA graduates ($158 vs. $263).
• More CMA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Montana State University-Northern students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.