MSU Billings vs. Montana State University-Northern

Comparable Facts

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

Montana State University Billings is larger than Montana State University-Northern based on total student enrollment (4,129 students vs. 966 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montana State University Billings is located in Billings, MT (Midsize City setting); Montana State University Northern is in Havre, MT (Remote Town setting).
• Montana State University Billings is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Montana State University Northern is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Montana State University Billings 14:1; Montana State University Northern 13:1.

MSU Billings vs. Montana State University-Northern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Billings 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 MSU Billings ($9,961 vs. $15,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University Northern are 26% lower than at Montana State University Billings ($7,384 vs. $9,980).
• Montana State University Billings is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Montana State University-Northern (about $298 more per year; $7,280.00 vs. $6,982.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at MSU Billings than at Montana State University Northern (about $1,022 more per year; $22,897.00 vs. $21,875.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University Billings than at Montana State University Northern (90% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University Billings students is 2.1% larger than aid received by Montana State University Northern students ($7,313 vs. $7,163).

MSU Billings vs. Montana State University-Northern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU Billings 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 MSU Billings.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU Billings - Not reported; Montana State University-Northern - Not reported.
• Accepted freshman MSU Billings students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.05) than students at Montana State University-Northern (2.79).

MSU Billings vs. Montana State University-Northern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU Billings 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).

• Montana State University Billings's six-year graduation rate (33%) is higher than Montana State University Northern's (19%).
• Graduates from Montana State University Northern earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than MSU Billings graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,100 vs. $37,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montana State University Northern graduates have a $2,160 lower median loan debt than MSU Billings graduates ($15,340 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, Montana State University-Northern graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU Billings graduates ($158 vs. $180).
• More Montana State University-Northern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Billings students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 58%)

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.