Montana State University-Northern vs. DSU

Comparable Facts

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

Dickinson State University is larger than Montana State University-Northern based on total student enrollment (1,410 students vs. 966 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montana State University Northern is located in Havre, MT (Remote Town setting); Dickinson State University is in Dickinson, ND (Remote Town setting).
• Montana State University Northern is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Montana State University Northern 13:1; Dickinson State University 16:1.

Montana State University-Northern vs. DSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Montana State University-Northern or DSU? 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 DSU ($9,961 vs. $14,698).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University Northern are 13.8% lower than at Dickinson State University ($7,384 vs. $8,564).
• Dickinson State University is 30.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Montana State University-Northern (about $2,136 more per year; $9,118.00 vs. $6,982.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 139.9% higher at Montana State University-Northern than at Dickinson State University (about $12,757 more per year; $21,875.00 vs. $9,118.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson State University than at Montana State University Northern (92% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University Northern students is 26.4% larger than aid received by Dickinson State University students ($7,163 vs. $5,667).

Montana State University-Northern vs. DSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Montana State University-Northern or DSU? 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 DSU and Montana State University-Northern.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsDickinson State University 875/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsDickinson State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Montana State University-Northern - Not reported; DSU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman DSU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.11) than students at Montana State University-Northern (2.79).

Montana State University-Northern vs. DSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Montana State University-Northern and DSU? 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).

• Dickinson State University's six-year graduation rate (26%) is higher than Montana State University Northern's (19%).
• Graduates from Dickinson State University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Montana State University-Northern graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $40,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montana State University Northern graduates have a $3,441 lower median loan debt than DSU graduates ($15,340 vs. $18,781).
• Among borrowers, Montana State University-Northern graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DSU graduates ($158 vs. $194).
• More DSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Montana State University-Northern students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.