Carroll College vs Montana State University-Northern: which has better ROI?
Carroll College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $95,840 in 7.1 years versus 44.2 years at Montana State University-Northern, on median earnings of $61,772 vs $49,505 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Carroll College | Montana State University-Northern |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,960 | $12,664 |
| Total net cost | $95,840 | $50,656 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $61,772 | $49,505 |
| Median debt | $25,757 | $18,500 |
| Payback | 7.1 yrs | 44.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $172,400 | -$27,756 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Carroll College or Montana State University-Northern?
Montana State University-Northern, at $12,664 a year after aid versus $23,960 — a gap of $11,296 a year, or $45,184 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Carroll College or Montana State University-Northern graduates earn more?
Carroll College graduates report a median $61,772 ten years after entry, $12,267 more than the $49,505 at Montana State University-Northern. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Carroll College or Montana State University-Northern?
Montana State University-Northern: its completers carry a median $18,500 in federal loans versus $25,757 at Carroll College, a difference of $7,257. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
69% of students finish at Carroll College, against 41% at Montana State University-Northern. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.