Montana State University-Northern vs Blackfeet Community College: which has better ROI?
Montana State University-Northern has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $50,656 in 44.2 years versus not at all at Blackfeet Community College, on median earnings of $49,505 vs $22,953 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Montana State University-Northern | Blackfeet Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,664 | $5,410 |
| Total net cost | $50,656 | $10,820 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,505 | $22,953 |
| Median debt | $18,500 | — |
| Payback | 44.2 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | -$27,756 | -$518,960 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Montana State University-Northern or Blackfeet Community College?
Blackfeet Community College, at $5,410 a year after aid versus $12,664 — a gap of $7,254 a year, or $39,836 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Montana State University-Northern or Blackfeet Community College graduates earn more?
Montana State University-Northern graduates report a median $49,505 ten years after entry, $26,552 more than the $22,953 at Blackfeet Community College. 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 graduates more of its students?
62% of students finish at Blackfeet Community 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.