Head-to-head comparison
Montana State University vs Montana State University Billings: which has better ROI?
Option A Bozeman, MT
Montana State University
- Net price / year
- $22,499
- Earnings, 10 years
- $53,263
- Payback
- 18.4 yrs
Option B Billings, MT
Montana State University Billings
- Net price / year
- $16,524
- Earnings, 10 years
- $44,296
- Payback
- No payback
Montana State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,996 in 18.4 years versus not at all at Montana State University Billings, on median earnings of $53,263 vs $44,296 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Montana State University | Montana State University Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,499 | $16,524 |
| Total net cost | $89,996 | $66,096 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,263 | $44,296 |
| Median debt | $22,500 | $18,209 |
| Payback | 18.4 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $8,064 | -$147,376 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Montana State University or Montana State University Billings?
Montana State University Billings, at $16,524 a year after aid versus $22,499 — a gap of $5,975 a year, or $23,900 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Montana State University or Montana State University Billings graduates earn more?
Montana State University graduates report a median $53,263 ten years after entry, $8,967 more than the $44,296 at Montana State University Billings. 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Montana State University or Montana State University Billings?
Montana State University Billings: its completers carry a median $18,209 in federal loans versus $22,500 at Montana State University, a difference of $4,291. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
57% of students finish at Montana State University, against 30% at Montana State University Billings. 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.