Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Montana State University-Northern worth it?
Pay $12,664/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $49,505 ten years out — about 3.9× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Montana State University-Northern vs Montana avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Montana college and the typical US college.
| Metric | Montana State University-Northern | Montana avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $12,664 | $12,561 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $49,505 | $38,908 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▲ $18,500 | $17,916 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▼ 41.1% | 39.1% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | — | 80% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $66,312 over four years. Most students get $3,914/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $18,500 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 37% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Montana State University-Northern grad earns about $180,200 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about Montana State University-Northern
The average student at Montana State University-Northern pays $12,664 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $16,578 published sticker price. That is above the MT average net price of $12,561.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $49,505 — above the MT median of $38,908. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $18,500, roughly $201 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 37% of one year's median earnings.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Montana State University-Northern?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $12,664 per year. That's $3,914/yr in financial aid against the $16,578 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $50,656.
How much do Montana State University-Northern graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Montana State University-Northern graduates earn a median of $49,505 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 3.9× the annual net cost.
How much debt do Montana State University-Northern graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $18,500 — about $201/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 29.3% of students take federal loans.
Is Montana State University-Northern worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Montana State University-Northern a value grade of B — top 30% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $12,664/yr, earn $49,505/yr ten years out, ROI score of 9.77. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at Montana State University-Northern?
33.1% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 29.3% take federal student loans. On average, students get $3,914 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Montana State University-Northern?
In-state tuition is $6,982 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $21,875 per year — a difference of $14,893/yr or $59,572 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at Montana State University-Northern?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $9,940. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $16,578. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →