Montana State University-Northern
#6 Best Master's Programs in Montana- Graduation Rate
- 42% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $49,505 B-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $12,664 B-
- 26% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 761
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.7 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Master's Programs in Montana.
Every $1 spent returns $21.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,050,652.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 21% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 42% — 27% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Montana State University-Northern Matters
Montana State University-Northern is a public college in Havre, MT and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 761
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Mechanic & Repair Tech, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Precision Production
Why students choose Montana State University-Northern
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $12,664 a year after grants and scholarships — 26% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $49,505 ten years after enrolling — 21% above the typical college, against $18,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.20 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 761 students, Montana State University-Northern is a solid choice for those looking to dive into practical fields like Mechanic & Repair Technology, Health Professions, and Business & Marketing. This school attracts individuals who appreciate hands-on learning and a close-knit community, making it a good fit for students who thrive in a smaller setting. The variety of programs means there's something for everyone, whether you're aiming for a career in technical fields or the humanities.
Looking at what happens after graduation, the average earnings for alumni ten years down the line sit at $49,505. That’s a decent starting point for many, especially when considering the affordability of the education. With a net price of $12,664 after financial aid, many students can graduate without being buried in debt. This is especially important for those who may be relying on Pell Grants, which help about 33% of the student body here.
When we consider financial realities, the median debt stands at $18,500, which is manageable compared to potential earnings. Those who tend to flourish at MSU-Northern are often students who are practical, focused, and ready to dive into their careers after graduation. The combination of affordable tuition and supportive environment can set the stage for a successful transition into the workforce.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Montana State University-Northern is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Montana State University-Northern? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Montana State University-Northern, located in Havre, Montana, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 42%.
- Retention Rate
- 64%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,179
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.54
- First-Gen Students
- 34%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Montana State University-Northern? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Montana State University-Northern is $21,875, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,664. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,940 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $6,982
- Out-of-State
- $21,875
- Avg Net Price
- $12,664
- Median Debt
- $18,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 33%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 29%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,940
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,242
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,451
- Family Income $110K+
- $16,578
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Montana State University-Northern — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Montana State University-Northern Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Montana State University-Northern earn a median of $49,505, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,045
- 8 Years
- $46,435
- 10 Years
- $49,505
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.37x
- Earning > $25K
- 63%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (23)
- 25%
- 100% (23)
- 25%
- 100% (23)
- 25%
- 100% (23)
- 25%
How Montana Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Montana State University-Northern Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Montana State University-Northern delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,664/year ($50,656 total). Graduates earn $49,505 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,101,308 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,050,652 (21.7× your investment). The median debt is $18,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 42% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $50,656
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,101,308
- Net Return
- $1,050,652
- ROI Multiple
- 21.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $12,664
- Median Debt
- $18,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 42%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $9,950,113
- Federal Grants
- $1,295,158
- Investment Income
- $25,418
Top Programs
The fields Montana State University-Northern awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 24% $65,690 early-career
- Business & Marketing 12% $46,778 early-career
- Health Professions 12% $78,968 early-career
- Precision Production 11%
- Education 6% $39,121 early-career
- Construction Trades 5%
- Humanities 4%
- Criminal Justice 3% $42,934 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Montana State University-Northern's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CAerospace Engineer$130,720 · 6% growthResilient 72
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Montana State University-Northern? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Montana State University-Northern, located in Havre, Montana, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 42%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Montana State University-Northern? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Montana State University-Northern is $21,875, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,664. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,940 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,500 in federal student loans.
Is Montana State University-Northern Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Montana State University-Northern earn a median of $49,505, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Montana State University-Northern? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Montana State University-Northern. Its economic connectedness score is 1.20, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Montana State University-Northern.
- Mayville State UniversityMayville, ND · Close peer40% grad $47,828 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Louisiana Christian UniversityPineville, LA · Close peer42% grad $51,700 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Wright State University-Lake CampusCelina, OH · Close peer42% grad $49,500 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Heritage UniversityToppenish, WA · Close peer46% grad $49,416 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Southern Wesleyan UniversityCentral, SC · Close peer52% grad $47,756 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- University of Alaska SoutheastJuneau, AK · Close peer29% grad $48,475 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Montana State University-Northern? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Montana State University-Northern. Its economic connectedness score is 1.20, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note