Montana State University-Northern
Montana State University-Northern — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Montana State University-Northern at a Glance
Montana State University–Northern is a public college in Havre, Montana, United States. It is part of the Montana University System and was "Northern Montana College" prior to the restructuring of Montana's public university system in 1994.
1929
97 years old
$3M
US$3.254 million (FY2005)
1,107
1,063 undergrad · 44 grad
Identity
Is Montana State University-Northern Worth It?
Montana State University-Northern offers moderate value at $12,664/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $49,505, which is 8% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 42% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Montana State University-Northern compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #18 of 43 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | New College of Florida | 100 | $7,195 | $48,082 |
| #2 | University of Minnesota-Morris | 90 | $8,837 | $50,919 |
| #3 | Grays Harbor College | 75 | $4,783 | $40,865 |
| #4 | University of Maine at Fort Kent | 68 | $7,482 | $51,077 |
| #5 | University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma | 64 | $6,624 | $41,913 |
| #6 | University of Virginia's College at Wise | 59 | $9,210 | $45,325 |
| #18 | Montana State University-Northern | 41 | $12,664 | $49,505 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Montana State University-Northern's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MT.
Best Programs at Montana State University-Northern
The highest-earning program at Montana State University-Northern is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $63,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at $30,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Montana State University-Northern earns $63,300, while a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate earns $30,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $20,264 in median debt vs. $22,552 for Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,664/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $63,300 | $63,300 | $20,264 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies | $44,100 | $44,100 | $17,219 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,900 | $34,900 | $18,354 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $30,300 | $30,300 | $22,552 |
Similar Colleges in MT
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Havre, MT
- Student Body
- 761 students
- Graduation Rate
- 42%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,664
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $49,505
- Median Student Debt
- $18,500