CSU vs. Montana State University-Northern

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with Montana State University Northern in Havre, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Chicago State University is larger than Montana State University-Northern based on total student enrollment (2,238 students vs. 966 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Montana State University Northern is in Havre, MT (Remote Town setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Montana State University Northern is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Montana State University Northern 13:1.

CSU vs. Montana State University-Northern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 CSU ($9,961 vs. $10,441).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University Northern are 36.1% lower than at Chicago State University ($7,384 vs. $11,550).
• Chicago State University is 82.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Montana State University-Northern (about $5,772 more per year; $12,754.00 vs. $6,982.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.5% higher at Montana State University-Northern than at Chicago State University (about $9,121 more per year; $21,875.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University than at Montana State University Northern (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 154% larger than aid received by Montana State University Northern students ($18,194 vs. $7,163).

CSU vs. Montana State University-Northern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Montana State University-Northern - Not reported.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.18) than students at Montana State University-Northern (2.79).

CSU vs. Montana State University-Northern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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).

• Chicago State University's six-year graduation rate (21%) is higher than Montana State University Northern's (19%).
• Graduates from Montana State University Northern earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,100 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montana State University Northern graduates have a $15,910 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($15,340 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, Montana State University-Northern graduates have an estimated $165 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($158 vs. $323).
• More Montana State University-Northern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 25%)

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.