Montana State University-Northern vs. SKC

Comparable Facts

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

Montana State University Northern is larger than SKC based on total student enrollment (966 students vs. 671 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montana State University Northern is located in Havre, MT (Remote Town setting); Salish Kootenai College is in Pablo, MT (Distant Rural setting).
• Montana State University Northern is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Salish Kootenai College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Montana State University Northern 13:1; Salish Kootenai College 6:1.

Montana State University-Northern vs. SKC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Montana State University-Northern or SKC? 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 Salish Kootenai College than Montana State University-Northern ($6,771 vs. $9,961).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salish Kootenai College are 4.9% lower than at Montana State University Northern ($7,020 vs. $7,384).
• Montana State University Northern is 9.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SKC (about $583 more per year; $6,982.00 vs. $6,399.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.9% higher at Montana State University-Northern than at Salish Kootenai College (about $10,292 more per year; $21,875.00 vs. $11,583.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University Northern than at Salish Kootenai College (81% vs. 68%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University Northern students is 8.2% larger than aid received by Salish Kootenai College students ($7,163 vs. $6,621).

Montana State University-Northern vs. SKC Admissions comparison

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

• Salish Kootenai College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Montana State University-Northern - Not reported; SKC - Open admission.

Montana State University-Northern vs. SKC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Salish Kootenai College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Montana State University Northern's (19%).
• Graduates from Montana State University Northern earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than SKC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,100 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salish Kootenai College graduates have a $2,868 lower median loan debt than Montana State University-Northern graduates ($12,472 vs. $15,340).
• Among borrowers, SKC graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Montana State University-Northern graduates ($128 vs. $158).
• More Montana State University-Northern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SKC students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 36%)

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.