Montana State University-Northern vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Comparable Facts

Compare Montana State University Northern in Havre, MT with Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Potomac State College of West Virginia University is larger than Montana State University-Northern based on total student enrollment (1,077 students vs. 966 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montana State University Northern is located in Havre, MT (Remote Town setting); Potomac State College of West Virginia University is in Keyser, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Montana State University Northern is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Montana State University Northern 13:1; Potomac State College of West Virginia University 13:1.

Montana State University-Northern vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Montana State University-Northern or Potomac State College of West Virginia 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University than Montana State University-Northern ($9,541 vs. $9,961).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University Northern are 41.3% lower than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University ($7,384 vs. $12,580).
• Montana State University Northern is 32.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $1,702 more per year; $6,982.00 vs. $5,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.7% higher at Montana State University-Northern than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $8,675 more per year; $21,875.00 vs. $13,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Potomac State College of West Virginia University than at Montana State University Northern (90% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University Northern students is 4% larger than aid received by Potomac State College of West Virginia University students ($7,163 vs. $6,890).

Montana State University-Northern vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Montana State University-Northern or Potomac State College of West Virginia 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University and Montana State University-Northern.

• Potomac State College of West Virginia University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Montana State University-Northern - Not reported; Potomac State College of West Virginia University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Potomac State College of West Virginia University students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.06) than students at Montana State University-Northern (2.79).

Montana State University-Northern vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Montana State University-Northern and Potomac State College of West Virginia 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).

• Graduates from Potomac State College of West Virginia University earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than Montana State University-Northern graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $40,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montana State University Northern graduates have a $8,661 lower median loan debt than Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates ($15,340 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, Montana State University-Northern graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates ($158 vs. $248).
• More Montana State University-Northern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Potomac State College of West Virginia University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 59%)

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.