Montana State University vs University of Providence
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Montana State University Bozeman, MT | University of Providence Great Falls, MT | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | +25% | +93% |
| 10-year net gain | $24,695 | $71,841 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $57,289 | $59,927 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $37,341 | $101,187 |
| Average net price | $22,499 | $17,649 |
| Median debt | $22,500 | $18,750 |
| Break-even | 8 yrs | 5.2 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 57% | 28% |
| Admission rate | 82% | 50% |
Montana State University
Break-even
+$24,695 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
University of Providence
Strong return
+$71,841 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.