Montana State University-Northern vs. UM Western

Comparable Facts

Compare Montana State University Northern in Havre, MT with The University of Montana Western in Dillon, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Montana Western is larger than Montana State University-Northern based on total student enrollment (1,358 students vs. 966 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montana State University Northern is located in Havre, MT (Remote Town setting); The University of Montana Western is in Dillon, MT (Remote Town setting).
• Montana State University Northern is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Montana Western is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Montana State University Northern 13:1; The University of Montana Western 16:1.

Montana State University-Northern vs. UM Western Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Montana State University-Northern or UM Western? 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 UM Western ($9,961 vs. $16,745).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University Northern are 26.5% lower than at The University of Montana Western ($7,384 vs. $10,046).
• Montana State University Northern is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM Western (about $312 more per year; $6,982.00 vs. $6,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at Montana State University-Northern than at The University of Montana Western (about $1,745 more per year; $21,875.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University Northern as at The University of Montana Western (81% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University Northern students is 49.4% larger than aid received by The University of Montana Western students ($7,163 vs. $4,794).

Montana State University-Northern vs. UM Western Admissions comparison

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

• The University of Montana Western reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsThe University of Montana Western 890/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsThe University of Montana Western 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Montana State University-Northern - Not reported; UM Western - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman UM Western students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at Montana State University-Northern (2.79).

Montana State University-Northern vs. UM Western Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The University of Montana Western's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than Montana State University Northern's (19%).
• Graduates from Montana State University Northern earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than UM Western graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,100 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montana State University Northern graduates have a $5,589 lower median loan debt than UM Western graduates ($15,340 vs. $20,929).
• Among borrowers, Montana State University-Northern graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM Western graduates ($158 vs. $216).
• More Montana State University-Northern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UM Western students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 61%)

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.