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Montana State University-Northern vs Rocky Mountain College

Montana State University-Northern is a public university in Havre, MT. Rocky Mountain College is a private college in Billings, MT. Rocky Mountain College admits about 70% of applicants and Montana State University-Northern about 100%, making Rocky Mountain College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $12,664 a year at Montana State University-Northern after aid, and about $19,751 at Rocky Mountain College. About 48% of students graduate at Rocky Mountain College, compared with 42% at Montana State University-Northern. Ten years after enrolling, Montana State University-Northern alumni earn a median of about $49,505, against $49,036 for Rocky Mountain College.

Montana State University-Northern

Havre, MT · Public

Rocky Mountain College

Billings, MT · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Havre, MT
Billings, MT
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
761
840
Acceptance rate
100%
70%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.13–3.63
3.37–3.87
SAT (middle 50%)
950–1140
893–1133
ACT (middle 50%)
16–21
18–24
Test policy
Test optional
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$12,664
$19,751
Full cost / yr
$16,578
$46,093
In-state tuition
$6,982
$35,582
Out-of-state tuition
$21,875
$35,582
Application fee
$30
$35
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$9,940
$15,404
$30k - $48k
$9,242
$13,781
$48k - $75k
$12,451
$14,957
$75k - $110k
$16,315
$19,892
Over $110k
$16,578
$25,150
Outcomes
Graduation rate
42%
48%
Freshman retention
64%
69%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$45,045
$41,783
Median earnings (10 yr)
$49,505
$49,036
Median debt at graduation
$18,500
$26,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
33%
31%
First-generation students
34%
32%
International students
0%
6%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Montana State University-Northern or Rocky Mountain College harder to get into?
Rocky Mountain College is harder to get into. It admits about 70% of applicants, compared with 100% at Montana State University-Northern. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Montana State University-Northern or Rocky Mountain College?
Montana State University-Northern is cheaper on average. Students pay about $12,664 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $19,751 at Rocky Mountain College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Montana State University-Northern and Rocky Mountain College?
Before aid, Montana State University-Northern costs about $16,578 a year and Rocky Mountain College about $46,093. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Montana State University-Northern or Rocky Mountain College?
Montana State University-Northern. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,940 there, against about $15,404 at Rocky Mountain College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Montana State University-Northern or Rocky Mountain College?
Rocky Mountain College is the larger of the two, with about 840 undergraduates against 761 at Montana State University-Northern.
Does Montana State University-Northern or Rocky Mountain College have a better graduation rate?
Rocky Mountain College has the higher graduation rate, at about 48% against 42% at Montana State University-Northern.
Do graduates of Montana State University-Northern or Rocky Mountain College earn more?
Montana State University-Northern alumni earn more on average: a median of about $49,505 ten years after enrolling, against about $49,036 for Rocky Mountain College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Montana State University-Northern and Rocky Mountain College require SAT or ACT scores?
Montana State University-Northern is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Rocky Mountain College considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do Montana State University-Northern and Rocky Mountain College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 950–1140 at Montana State University-Northern and 893–1133 at Rocky Mountain College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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