Montana State University Billings
#4 Best Master's Programs in Montana- Graduation Rate
- 29% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $44,296 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $16,524 C
- Close to the national average
- Enrollment
- 2,626
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 15.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.3 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Master's Programs in Montana.
Every $1 spent returns $15.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $943,807.
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 29% — 49% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $15.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Montana State University Billings Matters
Montana State University Billings is a public university in Billings, MT and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,626
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Psychology
Why students choose Montana State University Billings
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 $16,524 a year after grants and scholarships — 4% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $44,296 ten years after enrolling — 9% above the typical college, against $18,209 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 45% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.37 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Montana State University Billings is a solid choice for students interested in practical fields like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, and Psychology. With an enrollment of about 2,626, it offers a community feel where students can engage directly with faculty and peers. The emphasis here is on programs that prepare students for the workforce, making it an appealing option for those ready to dive into their careers after graduation.
When it comes to life after graduation, the numbers tell a promising story. Graduates from Montana State University Billings earn a median salary of $44,296 within ten years of finishing their degrees. This is a respectable figure that suggests graduates are finding their footing in the job market. Additionally, with a net price of $16,524 after aid, it’s clear that students can pursue their education without overwhelming financial burdens.
Speaking of finances, the typical debt load for graduates is $18,209, which is manageable for many. About 25% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating that financial support is available for those who need it. Students who tend to thrive here are often those looking for a supportive environment and practical education that leads to stable employment opportunities. Montana State University Billings could be a great fit for individuals ready to commit to their studies and take advantage of the resources available to them.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Montana State University Billings 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 Montana State University Billings? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Billings, Montana, Montana State University Billings enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 29%.
- Retention Rate
- 56%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 63%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,728
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.42
- First-Gen Students
- 38%
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 Montana State University Billings? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Montana State University Billings is $22,897, 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 $16,524. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,927 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,209 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $7,280
- Out-of-State
- $22,897
- Avg Net Price
- $16,524
- Median Debt
- $18,209
- Pell Grant Rate
- 25%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 28%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,927
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,387
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,749
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,035
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Montana State University Billings — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Montana State University Billings Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Montana State University Billings report median earnings of $44,296, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $39,531
- 8 Years
- $43,272
- 10 Years
- $44,296
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.41x
- Earning > $25K
- 60%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (56)
- 11%
- 100% (56)
- 11%
- 100% (56)
- 11%
- 100% (56)
- 11%
How Montana 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 Montana State University Billings Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Montana State University Billings delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $16,524/year ($66,096 total). Graduates earn $44,296 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,009,903 in total earnings — a net gain of $943,807 (15.3× your investment). The median debt is $18,209, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 29% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $66,096
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,009,903
- Net Return
- $943,807
- ROI Multiple
- 15.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $16,524
- Median Debt
- $18,209
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 29%
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 Montana State University Billings Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Montana State University Billings 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 1.56%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.3% 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 13.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $66,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.56%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 13.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 11.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $89,671
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,928,992
- Investment Income
- $-153,401
Top Programs
The fields Montana State University Billings awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 23% $69,393 early-career
- Business & Marketing 21% $46,778 early-career
- Humanities 10%
- Psychology 9% $35,271 early-career
- Education 7% $38,360 early-career
- Criminal Justice 4% $37,891 early-career
- Precision Production 3% $43,782 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Montana State University Billings'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
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Montana State University Billings? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Billings, Montana, Montana State University Billings enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 29%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Montana State University Billings? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Montana State University Billings is $22,897, 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 $16,524. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,927 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,209 in federal student loans.
Is Montana State University Billings Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Montana State University Billings report median earnings of $44,296, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Montana State University Billings Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Montana State University Billings 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 1.56%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.3% 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 13.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $66,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Montana State University Billings? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Montana State University Billings. Its economic connectedness score is 1.37, 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 Montana State University Billings.
- Rogers State UniversityClaremore, OK · Close peer27% grad $43,166 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Auburn University at MontgomeryMontgomery, AL · Close peer34% grad $44,391 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- SUNY MorrisvilleMorrisville, NY · Close peer30% grad $43,295 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Yakima Valley CollegeYakima, WA · Close peer31% grad $43,499 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional StudiesFort Wayne, IN · Close peer28% grad $47,327 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Lewis-Clark State CollegeLewiston, ID · Close peer43% grad $46,001 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Montana State University Billings? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Montana State University Billings. Its economic connectedness score is 1.37, 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