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Head-to-head comparison

The University of Montana vs Blackfeet Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Missoula MT · vs · Private nonprofit, Browning MT

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Missoula, MT

The University of Montana

Net price / year
$16,784
Earnings, 10 years
$44,511
Payback
No payback

Option B Browning, MT

Blackfeet Community College

Net price / year
$5,410
Earnings, 10 years
$22,953
Payback
No payback
The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but The University of Montana comes closer — median earnings $44,511 against a $67,136 total, vs $22,953 at Blackfeet Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureThe University of MontanaBlackfeet Community College
Net price / yr$16,784$5,410
Total net cost$67,136$10,820
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,511$22,953
Median debt$22,400—
Payback——
20-year net return-$144,116-$518,960

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, The University of Montana or Blackfeet Community College?

Blackfeet Community College, at $5,410 a year after aid versus $16,784 — a gap of $11,374 a year, or $56,316 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 The University of Montana or Blackfeet Community College graduates earn more?

The University of Montana graduates report a median $44,511 ten years after entry, $21,558 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.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

62% of students finish at Blackfeet Community College, against 48% at The University of Montana. 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.

The University of Montana vs Blackfeet Community College: frequently asked questions

Is The University of Montana or Blackfeet Community College a better value?
The University of Montana comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, The University of Montana or Blackfeet Community College?
Blackfeet Community College: $5,410/yr net price after aid versus $16,784/yr at The University of Montana — a difference of $11,374 a year, or about $56,316 over four years.
Do The University of Montana or Blackfeet Community College graduates earn more?
The University of Montana graduates earn a median $44,511 ten years after entry, versus $22,953 at Blackfeet Community College — a $21,558 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.