Montana State University - Northern

In 2013, tuition for full-time students at Montana State University Northern was $4,496 a year for in-state students and $17,096 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students find the actual cost of college is far less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. And, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college feel more doable until after graduation.

Montana State University-Northern meets 60% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Montana State University-Northern is around $9,054 a year.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $21,365 in student loans per borrower.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Montana State University-Northern

Montana State University-Northern is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $4,496 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing an insitution where you qualify for in-state tuition can drastically reduce the total cost of attending college. Be sure to verify your state's eligibility criteria for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Montana colleges

Tuition for International Students at Montana State University-Northern

Tuition at Montana State University-Northern is the same for every student.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific aid and scholarships.

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Montana State University-Northern Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Montana State University-Northern.

House and Food Costs at Montana State University-Northern

Housing and campus dining at Montana State University-Northern is $6,470 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that enables you to eat in the school dining facilities.

Board costs may vary depending on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Montana State University-Northern?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer ways for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Montana State University-Northern

The cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in a city may be costly, but there may be more buses, trains or affordable flights to actually get to school. Montana State University-Northernis located in a town in Montana.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, be sure to consider the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at Montana State University-Northern

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending Montana State University-Northern.

Total Cost of Montana State University-Northern

What will the cost of attending Montana State University-Northern be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$4,496
Out-of-State Tuition	$17,096
Room and Board	$6,470
Other expenses	$3,200

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at Montana State University-Northern

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The majority of Montana State University-Northern undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2023, 681 of the 988 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Montana State University-Northern meets 60% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $9,054 a year. Around 76% of Montana State University-Northern undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Montana State University-Northern graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $21,365 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$21,365
Private Loans	$0

Most Common Loans for Montana State University-Northern Students
Federal Loans	76%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Montana State University-Northern financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Montana State University-Northern

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Montana State University-Northern awarded 596 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $3.3 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $300,000 in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Montana State University-Northern

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Montana State University-Northern students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Montana State University-Northern was $9,054 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Montana State University-Northern seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-1,083
Net In-state, Off-campus	$1,501
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$20,571

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Montana State University-Northern really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Montana State University-Northern's net cost calculator on their website.

Montana State University-Northern Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Montana State University Northern Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Montana State University-Northern's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about Montana State University-Northern's endowment, check with the school directly.

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Learn More About Montana State University-Northern

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Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

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