Montana State University-Northern vs. Kent State University at Salem

Comparable Facts

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

Kent State University at Salem is larger than Montana State University-Northern based on total student enrollment (1,633 students vs. 966 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montana State University Northern is located in Havre, MT (Remote Town setting); Kent State University at Salem is in Salem, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Montana State University Northern is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kent State University at Salem is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Montana State University Northern 13:1; Kent State University at Salem 26:1.

Montana State University-Northern vs. Kent State University at Salem Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Montana State University-Northern or Kent State University at Salem? 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 Kent State University at Salem ($9,961 vs. $13,301).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University Northern are 37.5% lower than at Kent State University at Salem ($7,384 vs. $11,810).
• Kent State University at Salem is 7.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Montana State University-Northern (about $510 more per year; $7,492.00 vs. $6,982.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.1% higher at Montana State University-Northern than at Kent State University at Salem (about $4,533 more per year; $21,875.00 vs. $17,342.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University Northern than at Kent State University at Salem (81% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University Northern students is 39.5% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Salem students ($7,163 vs. $5,135).

Montana State University-Northern vs. Kent State University at Salem Admissions comparison

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

• Kent State University at Salem reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Montana State University-Northern - Not reported; Kent State University at Salem - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State University at Salem Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kent State University at Salem students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at Montana State University-Northern (2.79).

Montana State University-Northern vs. Kent State University at Salem Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Montana State University-Northern and Kent State University at Salem? 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).

• The graduation rate at Montana State University-Northern is the same as at Kent State University at Salem (19% vs. 19%).
• Graduates from Kent State University at Salem earn a median of about $200 more per year than Montana State University-Northern graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $40,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montana State University Northern graduates have a $10,485 lower median loan debt than Kent State University at Salem graduates ($15,340 vs. $25,825).
• Among borrowers, Montana State University-Northern graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State University at Salem graduates ($158 vs. $267).
• More Montana State University-Northern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State University at Salem students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 46%)

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.