Montana State University-Northern vs. SUNY-Potsdam

Comparable Facts

Compare Montana State University Northern in Havre, MT with SUNY College at Potsdam in Potsdam, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY College at Potsdam is larger than Montana State University-Northern based on total student enrollment (2,832 students vs. 966 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montana State University Northern is located in Havre, MT (Remote Town setting); SUNY College at Potsdam is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
• Montana State University Northern is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY College at Potsdam is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Montana State University Northern 13:1; SUNY College at Potsdam 11:1.

Montana State University-Northern vs. SUNY-Potsdam Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Montana State University-Northern or SUNY-Potsdam? 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 SUNY-Potsdam ($9,961 vs. $13,730).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University Northern are 51.7% lower than at SUNY College at Potsdam ($7,384 vs. $15,280).
• SUNY College at Potsdam is 25.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Montana State University-Northern (about $1,786 more per year; $8,768.00 vs. $6,982.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.1% higher at Montana State University-Northern than at SUNY College at Potsdam (about $3,197 more per year; $21,875.00 vs. $18,678.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College at Potsdam than at Montana State University Northern (93% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY College at Potsdam students is 55.6% larger than aid received by Montana State University Northern students ($11,147 vs. $7,163).

Montana State University-Northern vs. SUNY-Potsdam Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Montana State University-Northern - Not reported; SUNY-Potsdam - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SUNY-Potsdam 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. SUNY-Potsdam Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• SUNY College at Potsdam's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Montana State University Northern's (19%).
• Graduates from Montana State University Northern earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than SUNY-Potsdam graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,100 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montana State University Northern graduates have a $9,660 lower median loan debt than SUNY-Potsdam graduates ($15,340 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Montana State University-Northern graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY-Potsdam graduates ($158 vs. $258).
• More Montana State University-Northern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY-Potsdam students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 60%)

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.