Head-to-head comparison
Montana Technological University vs Highlands College of Montana Tech: which has better ROI?
Option A Butte, MT
Montana Technological University
- Net price / year
- $16,481
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,329
- Payback
- 11 yrs
Option B Butte, MT
Highlands College of Montana Tech
- Net price / year
- $14,962
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,329
- Payback
- 10 yrs
Highlands College of Montana Tech has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $59,848 in 10 years versus 11 years at Montana Technological University, on median earnings of $54,329 vs $54,329 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Montana Technological University | Highlands College of Montana Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,481 | $14,962 |
| Total net cost | $65,924 | $59,848 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,329 | $54,329 |
| Median debt | $18,750 | $18,750 |
| Payback | 11 yrs | 10 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $53,456 | $59,532 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Montana Technological University or Highlands College of Montana Tech?
Highlands College of Montana Tech, at $14,962 a year after aid versus $16,481 — a gap of $1,519 a year, or $6,076 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 Technological University or Highlands College of Montana Tech graduates earn more?
Graduates of both report a median $54,329 ten years after entry, so earnings do not separate them either — the ROI difference comes entirely from what each degree costs. Figures are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, not programme-level pay.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Montana Technological University or Highlands College of Montana Tech?
Completers at both borrow a median $18,750, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
58% of students finish at Montana Technological University, against 45% at Highlands College of Montana Tech. 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.