Montana State University-Northern vs. New Mexico Highlands University

Comparable Facts

Compare Montana State University Northern in Havre, MT with New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

New Mexico Highlands University is larger than Montana State University-Northern based on total student enrollment (2,704 students vs. 966 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montana State University Northern is located in Havre, MT (Remote Town setting); New Mexico Highlands University is in Las Vegas, NM (Remote Town setting).
• Montana State University Northern is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. New Mexico Highlands University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Montana State University Northern 13:1; New Mexico Highlands University 10:1.

Montana State University-Northern vs. New Mexico Highlands University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Montana State University-Northern or New Mexico Highlands University? 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 New Mexico Highlands University ($9,961 vs. $11,062).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University Northern are 27% lower than at New Mexico Highlands University ($7,384 vs. $10,116).
• New Mexico Highlands University is 6.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Montana State University-Northern (about $434 more per year; $7,416.00 vs. $6,982.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.3% higher at Montana State University-Northern than at New Mexico Highlands University (about $9,539 more per year; $21,875.00 vs. $12,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico Highlands University than at Montana State University Northern (91% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico Highlands University students is 35.7% larger than aid received by Montana State University Northern students ($9,722 vs. $7,163).

Montana State University-Northern vs. New Mexico Highlands University Admissions comparison

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

• New Mexico Highlands University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Montana State University-Northern - Not reported; New Mexico Highlands University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman New Mexico Highlands University students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Montana State University-Northern (2.79).

Montana State University-Northern vs. New Mexico Highlands University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Montana State University-Northern and New Mexico Highlands University? 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).

• New Mexico Highlands 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 $3,800 more per year than New Mexico Highlands University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,100 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico Highlands University graduates have a $2,338 lower median loan debt than Montana State University-Northern graduates ($13,002 vs. $15,340).
• Among borrowers, New Mexico Highlands University graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Montana State University-Northern graduates ($134 vs. $158).
• More Montana State University-Northern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former New Mexico Highlands University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 42%)

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.