# Best Colleges in Montana

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 15 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-montana

## Methodology

Composite score for institutions in Montana

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

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.

## Key Findings

- Montana Technological University graduates earn an average of $54,329.
- Carroll College has a graduation rate of 68%, the highest on this list.
- Flathead Valley Community College offers the lowest net price at $8,099.
- The average graduation rate among these colleges is 42%.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Carroll College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/carroll-college) | Helena, MT | 68% | $61,772 | $23,960 | $25,757 | 0.42x |
| 2 | [The University of Montana](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-montana) | Missoula, MT | 47% | $44,511 | $16,784 | $22,400 | 0.5x |
| 3 | [Flathead Valley Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/flathead-valley-community-college) | Kalispell, MT | 28% | $38,520 | $8,099 | $10,500 | 0.27x |
| 4 | [Rocky Mountain College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rocky-mountain-college) | Billings, MT | 48% | $49,036 | $19,751 | $26,000 | 0.53x |
| 5 | [Miles Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/miles-community-college) | Miles City, MT | 55% | $42,862 | $10,405 | $11,500 | 0.27x |
| 6 | [Montana State University Billings](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/montana-state-university-billings) | Billings, MT | 29% | $44,296 | $16,524 | $18,209 | 0.41x |
| 7 | [Montana Technological University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/montana-technological-university) | Butte, MT | 58% | $54,329 | $16,481 | $18,750 | 0.35x |
| 8 | [University of Providence](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-providence) | Great Falls, MT | 36% | $48,296 | $17,649 | $18,750 | 0.39x |
| 9 | [Montana State University-Northern](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/montana-state-university-northern) | Havre, MT | 42% | $49,505 | $12,664 | $18,500 | 0.37x |
| 10 | [The University of Montana-Western](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-montana-western) | Dillon, MT | 50% | $43,229 | $16,558 | $21,000 | 0.49x |
| 11 | [Great Falls College Montana State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/great-falls-college-montana-state-university) | Great Falls, MT | 33% | $38,034 | $12,468 | N/A | N/A |
| 12 | [Montana State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/montana-state-university) | Bozeman, MT | 57% | $53,263 | $22,499 | $22,500 | 0.42x |
| 13 | [Salish Kootenai College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/salish-kootenai-college) | Pablo, MT | 32% | $32,725 | $7,945 | $12,923 | 0.39x |
| 14 | [Blackfeet Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/blackfeet-community-college) | Browning, MT | 37% | $22,953 | $5,410 | N/A | N/A |
| 15 | [Fort Peck Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fort-peck-community-college) | Poplar, MT | 16% | $14,747 | $400 | N/A | N/A |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Colleges in Montana." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-montana

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.