Carroll College vs Montana State University-Northern
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Carroll College Helena, MT | Montana State University-Northern Havre, MT | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | +28% | +327% |
| 10-year net gain | $28,964 | $187,822 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $58,419 | $69,522 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $43,469 | $42,923 |
| Average net price | $23,960 | $12,664 |
| Median debt | $25,757 | $18,500 |
| Break-even | 7.8 yrs | 2.3 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 69% | 41% |
| Admission rate | 71% | — |
Carroll College
Break-even
+$28,964 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
Montana State University-Northern
Strong return
+$187,822 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.