Flathead Valley Community College
#2 Most Affordable Colleges in Montana- Graduation Rate
- 28% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $38,520 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $8,099 B+
- 53% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 1,202
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 28.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $28.8 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Most Affordable Colleges in Montana.
Every $1 spent returns $28.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $900,994.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 28% — 51% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $28.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Flathead Valley Community College
Flathead Valley Community College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 1,202
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Precision Production, Business & Marketing
Why students choose Flathead Valley Community College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $8,099 a year after grants and scholarships — 53% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $38,520 ten years after enrolling — 6% below the typical college, against $10,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 32% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.96 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Flathead Valley Community College serves around 1,200 students who are looking for a supportive environment to pursue practical education. With a focus on programs like Humanities, Health Professions, and Business & Marketing, it’s a good fit for those who want to gain skills that directly translate into jobs. The small size of the college fosters a community feel, allowing students to connect with instructors and peers in a meaningful way.
When it comes to what happens after graduation, the earnings data is telling. Graduates can expect to earn about $38,520 within a decade of completing their programs. This figure highlights the importance of choosing a path that leads to stable employment, especially when combined with the affordability of the college. Many students benefit from financial aid, which helps keep costs manageable, making it a viable option for those concerned about student debt.
In terms of financials, the net price after aid comes to about $8,099, and the median debt for graduates stands at $10,500. This relatively low debt load can be a significant advantage for students as they start their careers. Those who thrive at Flathead Valley Community College often appreciate small classes, personalized attention, and a clear focus on career readiness. The college appeals to individuals who are ready to take charge of their education and future, all while maintaining a practical approach to their finances.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Flathead Valley Community College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Flathead Valley Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Kalispell, Montana, Flathead Valley Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 28%.
- Retention Rate
- 63%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,543
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.34
- First-Gen Students
- 40%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Flathead Valley Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Flathead Valley Community College is $11,659, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $8,099. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,341 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,912
- Out-of-State
- $11,659
- Avg Net Price
- $8,099
- Median Debt
- $10,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 19%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 10%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $6,341
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $7,484
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $9,903
- Family Income $110K+
- $12,552
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Flathead Valley Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Flathead Valley Community College report median earnings of $38,520, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $32,850
- 8 Years
- $35,738
- 10 Years
- $38,520
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.27x
- Earning > $25K
- 46%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (54)
- 22%
- 100% (54)
- 22%
- 100% (54)
- 22%
- 100% (54)
- 22%
How Flathead Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Flathead Valley Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Flathead Valley Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $8,099/year ($32,396 total). Graduates earn $38,520 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $933,390 in total earnings — a net gain of $900,994 (28.8× your investment). The median debt is $10,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 28% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $32,396
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $933,390
- Net Return
- $900,994
- ROI Multiple
- 28.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $8,099
- Median Debt
- $10,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 28%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Flathead Valley Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Flathead Valley Community College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.87%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 16.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $55,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.87%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 11.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 16.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $55,700
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,307,367
- Investment Income
- $45,170
Top Programs
The fields Flathead Valley Community College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Humanities 36%
- Health Professions 24%
- Precision Production 13%
- Business & Marketing 5%
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 4%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
- Construction Trades 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Flathead Valley Community College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Flathead Valley Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Kalispell, Montana, Flathead Valley Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 28%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Flathead Valley Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Flathead Valley Community College is $11,659, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $8,099. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,341 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,500 in federal student loans.
Is Flathead Valley Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Flathead Valley Community College report median earnings of $38,520, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Flathead Valley Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Flathead Valley Community College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.87%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 16.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $55,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Flathead Valley Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Flathead Valley Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.96, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Flathead Valley Community College.
- Windward Community CollegeKaneohe, HI · Close peer30% grad $38,439 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Cayuga County Community CollegeAuburn, NY · Close peer32% grad $38,709 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- SUNY Corning Community CollegeCorning, NY · Close peer33% grad $38,817 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Southwestern Oregon Community CollegeCoos Bay, OR · Close peer39% grad $38,349 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- College of the SiskiyousWeed, CA · Close peer32% grad $39,098 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Sullivan County Community CollegeLoch Sheldrake, NY · Close peer28% grad $38,354 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Flathead Valley Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Flathead Valley Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.96, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note