Montana State University-Northern vs. RMC

Comparable Facts

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

Rocky Mountain College is larger than Montana State University-Northern based on total student enrollment (1,032 students vs. 966 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Montana State University-Northern vs. RMC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Montana State University-Northern or RMC? 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 RMC ($9,961 vs. $20,791).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University Northern are 27.3% lower than at Rocky Mountain College ($7,384 vs. $10,152).
• Rocky Mountain College is 409.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Montana State University-Northern (about $28,600 more per year; $35,582.00 vs. $6,982.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.7% higher at RMC than at Montana State University Northern (about $13,707 more per year; $35,582.00 vs. $21,875.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rocky Mountain College than at Montana State University Northern (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rocky Mountain College students is 256.1% larger than aid received by Montana State University Northern students ($25,508 vs. $7,163).

Montana State University-Northern vs. RMC Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRocky Mountain College 893/1133.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRocky Mountain College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Montana State University-Northern - Not reported; RMC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman RMC students have a 0.63 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Montana State University-Northern (2.79).

Montana State University-Northern vs. RMC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Rocky Mountain College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Montana State University Northern's (19%).
• Graduates from Rocky Mountain College 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 $10,660 lower median loan debt than RMC graduates ($15,340 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Montana State University-Northern graduates have an estimated $110 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RMC graduates ($158 vs. $268).
• More RMC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Montana State University-Northern students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.