Montana State University-Northern
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$25,076
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$10,045/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
2.5 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
701%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The annual in-state tuition at Montana State University-Northern is $6,269. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $46,222. Five years after graduation, the median salary is $45,045, and after ten years, the median salary is $49,505. The median debt for graduates is $18,500.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings, is approximately 0.4. This indicates that the median debt is about 40% of the first-year salary.
Based on the tuition cost and the one-year earnings, the break-even point, which is the time it takes for the additional earnings from a degree to cover the cost of tuition, is less than one year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$6,269
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$45,045
Graduation Rate
36%
Receive Financial Aid
28%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | $25,076 | $0 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $25,076 | $41,836 | 445% |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | $25,076 | $74,766 | 3072% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $25,076 | $62,481 | 2092% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $25,076 | $0 | N/A |
| Agricultural Mechanization. | $25,076 | $0 | N/A |
| Precision Metal Working. | $25,076 | $0 | N/A |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | $25,076 | $0 | N/A |
| Education, General. | $25,076 | $0 | N/A |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $25,076 | $65,623 | 2342% |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services. | $25,076 | $0 | N/A |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | $25,076 | $54,727 | 1473% |
Peer Comparison
701%
20yr ROI
518%
20yr ROI
573%
20yr ROI
720%
20yr ROI
270%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.