State rankings
Best colleges in Montana, ranked by ROI
We rank all 18 Montana institutions we profile by payback years — total net cost divided by earnings above the $48,360 high-school baseline. The state's median net price is $13,813/yr (below the $16,902 national median), and its graduates earn a median $43,763 ten years out (above the $43,549 national median). Carroll College leads, clearing its cost in 7.1 years. (Scorecard, 2026.)
$13,813
Median net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$43,763
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
15 yrs
Median payback
Our math, 2026
18
Colleges ranked
degreedividend.com
| # | College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carroll College | $23,960 | $61,772 | 7.1 yrs |
| 2 | Highlands College of Montana Tech | $14,962 | $54,329 | 10 yrs |
| 3 | Montana Technological University | $16,481 | $54,329 | 11 yrs |
| 4 | Montana State University | $22,499 | $53,263 | 18.4 yrs |
| 5 | Montana State University-Northern | $12,664 | $49,505 | 44.2 yrs |
| 6 | Rocky Mountain College | $19,751 | $49,036 | 116.9 yrs |
| 7 | University of Providence | $17,649 | $48,296 | no payback |
| 8 | Miles Community College | $10,405 | $42,862 | no payback |
| 9 | The University of Montana | $16,784 | $44,511 | no payback |
| 10 | Montana State University Billings | $16,524 | $44,296 | no payback |
| 11 | The University of Montana-Western | $16,558 | $43,229 | no payback |
| 12 | Helena College University of Montana | $11,593 | $40,738 | no payback |
| 13 | Flathead Valley Community College | $8,099 | $38,520 | no payback |
| 14 | Great Falls College Montana State University | $12,468 | $38,034 | no payback |
| 15 | Salish Kootenai College | $7,945 | $32,725 | no payback |
| 16 | Blackfeet Community College | $5,410 | $22,953 | no payback |
| 17 | Little Big Horn College | $8,331 | $21,152 | no payback |
| 18 | Fort Peck Community College | $400 | $14,747 | no payback |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · ranking and payback are our math. Payback uses institution-wide earnings; a specific major can rank very differently.
Colleges in Montana: frequently asked questions
Which college has the best ROI in Montana?
Carroll College. It charges $23,960/yr after aid and its graduates earn a median $61,772 ten years out, clearing the cost in about 7.1 years — the fastest payback of the 18 Montana colleges we track.
How much does college cost in Montana?
The median net price across Montana colleges is $13,813/yr after grants and scholarships — below the $16,902 national median. That is the actual price the typical aided student pays, not the published sticker.
What do Montana college graduates earn?
A median $43,763 ten years after entry (Scorecard), above the $43,549 national median. Earnings vary widely by school and major — see each college's profile for its own figure.
How many Montana colleges pay for themselves?
6 of the 18 Montana colleges we track clear their cost on institution-wide earnings above the high-school baseline. The rest need a high-ROI major to pay off — the school average alone does not.