Rankings / By State
Best Colleges in Montana
- 16
- Schools
- $42,426
- Avg. Earnings
- 42%
- Avg. Graduation
- $13,699
- Avg. Net Price
- $18,567
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 16 schools run from $14,747 to $61,772, a 4.2× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Fort Peck Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $14,747 in median earnings against $400 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Fort Peck Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $400 a year in net price.
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Carroll College graduates 68% of its students, versus a 42% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Flathead Valley Community College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.27× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- Fort Peck Community College costs $400 a year and Carroll College costs $23,960. Yet their graduates earn $14,747 and $61,772, nowhere near the $23,560 price gap.
- On value, Fort Peck Community College beats Carroll College: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: Carroll College finishes 68% of students while Fort Peck Community College finishes 16%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Fort Peck Community College and Carroll College. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $44K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Carroll College #1 overall | $61,772 ▲ +46% vs avg | $23,960 | 68% | 66 |
| 2 The University of Montana #2 overall | $44,511 ▲ +5% vs avg | $16,784 | 47% | 65 |
| 3 Flathead Valley Community College #3 overall | $38,520 ▼ -9% vs avg | $8,099 | 28% | 65 |
| $49,036 ▲ +16% vs avg | $19,751 | 48% | 64 | |
| $42,862 ▲ +1% vs avg | $10,405 | 55% | 64 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges in Montana
This analysis ranks 16 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $42,426 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 42% and an average net price of $13,699.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Fort Peck Community College — Net Price: $400 | Graduation Rate: 16%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Carroll College — 68% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Carroll College — Median alumni earnings: $61,772
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Montana Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Montana?
$43,763
Median earnings (10yr)
39%
Median graduation rate
$14,573
Median net price
2.0%
Avg. mobility rate
Higher education is intensely local: most students enroll close to home and stay to work nearby, so a state's colleges are also its talent pipeline. This ranking looks at the mix of public and private institutions across Montana, asking who keeps graduates in-state, who delivers earnings against the local cost of living, and who moves residents up the income ladder.
The median graduation rate across these 16 schools is 39%. Median graduate earnings reach $43,763 ten years after enrollment. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $14,573 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $18,750. Some 29% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 2.0%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that matter most for Montana pair affordability with outcomes that keep talent local. A median net price of $14,573 and median earnings of $43,763 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Carroll College lands at #1 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $61,772 a decade after enrolling, 46% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,960 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
The University of Montana lands at #2 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $44,511 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,784 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Flathead Valley Community College lands at #3 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $38,520 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,099 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Rocky Mountain College lands at #4 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $49,036 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,751 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Miles Community College lands at #5 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $42,862 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,405 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Helena College University of Montana lands at #6 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (76/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $40,738 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,593 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Montana State University Billings lands at #7 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $44,296 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,524 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Montana Technological University lands at #8 with a 56/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (48/100). Graduates earn a median $54,329 a decade after enrolling, 28% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,481 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
University of Providence lands at #9 with a 56/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (63/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $48,296 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,649 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Montana State University-Northern lands at #10 with a 55/100 composite, led by value per dollar (69/100) and pulled down by social mobility (53/100). Graduates earn a median $49,505 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,664 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
The University of Montana-Western lands at #11 with a 55/100 composite, led by academic quality (68/100) and pulled down by social mobility (55/100). Graduates earn a median $43,229 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,558 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Great Falls College Montana State University lands at #12 with a 55/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $38,034 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,468 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Montana State University lands at #13 with a 54/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (65/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $53,263 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,499 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Salish Kootenai College lands at #14 with a 53/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (46/100). Graduates earn a median $32,725 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,945 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Blackfeet Community College lands at #15 with a 41/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (12/100). Graduates earn a median $22,953 a decade after enrolling, 46% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,410 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Fort Peck Community College lands at #16 with a 30/100 composite, led by value per dollar (100/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (9/100). Graduates earn a median $14,747 a decade after enrolling, 65% below this list's average, and net price runs $400 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 16 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a college in Montana involves considering a variety of institutions that cater to different educational and career goals. Each school on this list shares a commitment to helping students succeed, whether through degrees, certificates, or vocational training. With average earnings across these colleges at $42,539, it's clear that the right choice can lead to a solid financial return.
The schools ranked here are distinguished by their graduation rates, student debt levels, and potential earnings after graduation. For instance, Montana Technological University stands out with a graduation rate of 58% and average earnings of $54,329, indicating strong outcomes for its students. When analyzing this list, consider how these factors align with your personal and financial goals.
For example, Carroll College in Helena has the highest earnings at $61,772 and a graduation rate of 68%, but it also has a higher net price of $23,960 compared to Flathead Valley Community College, which has lower earnings at $38,520 and a graduation rate of just 28%. This contrast highlights the tradeoff between immediate financial investment and long-term earning potential, guiding students to think critically about their choices.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 8 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 2%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Rocky Mountain College leads the group at 3.6%, with Miles Community College (2.8%) and Flathead Valley Community College (1.9%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 12.6% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Great Falls College Montana State University enrolls the most, at 21.5%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 18.6% across the list, peaking at 35.9% at Rocky Mountain College.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.24, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Carroll College is highest at 1.54.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Montana Technological University and Carroll College showcase a significant divergence in outcomes. While Montana Technological graduates earn an average of $54,329 with a 58% graduation rate, Carroll College's graduates earn even more at $61,772, but students face a steeper financial commitment. The $23,960 net price at Carroll College may lead some to question the return on investment, especially when compared to Flathead Valley Community College, which has a much lower net price at $8,099 but offers lower earnings potential.
Now that you've explored these schools, think about what matters most to you. If affordability is key, Flathead Valley Community College may be appealing, but if higher earnings and a robust campus experience are your priorities, Carroll College could be worth the investment. Weigh these data points against your own criteria such as location, program offerings, and campus culture.
Ultimately, choosing a college is a critical decision that shapes future opportunities. For many families, it’s about finding the right balance between cost and potential earnings. With the right information, we can make informed decisions that set up graduates for stable careers and a secure future, reflecting the importance of both educational choice and financial planning.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Colleges in Montana: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges in Montana ranking? +
Carroll College in Helena, MT ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Colleges in Montana ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $61,772 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 68% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Carroll College posts the highest median earnings on this list: $61,772 ten years after enrollment, well above the $42,426 average across the 16 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Fort Peck Community College leads: graduates earn a median $14,747 against net price of about $400 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Carroll College has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 68%, compared with a 42% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $13,699 a year across the 16 ranked schools with cost data. Fort Peck Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $400. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Colleges in Montana ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 16 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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