Rankings / By State
Best Master's Programs in Montana
- 11
- Schools
- $45,810
- Avg. Earnings
- 46%
- Avg. Graduation
- $16,020
- Avg. Net Price
- $20,479
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
-
Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $22,953 at the low end to $61,772 at the top. That 2.7× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
-
Blackfeet Community College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $22,953 against $5,410 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
-
The most budget-friendly option on this list is Blackfeet Community College, at $5,410 annually in net price.
-
Completion rates separate this field: Carroll College graduates 68% of its students, well above the 46% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
-
Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Montana Technological University: graduates owe only 0.35× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Blackfeet Community College ($5,410/yr) and Carroll College ($23,960/yr) produce graduates earning $22,953 and $61,772 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $18,550 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Blackfeet Community College outperforms Carroll College: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: Carroll College graduates 68% of its students versus 29% at Montana State University Billings. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
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 Blackfeet 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 $48K 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 ▲ +35% vs avg | $23,960 | 68% | 64 |
| 2 The University of Montana #2 overall | $44,511 ▼ -3% vs avg | $16,784 | 47% | 62 |
| 3 Rocky Mountain College #3 overall | $49,036 ▲ +7% vs avg | $19,751 | 48% | 62 |
| $44,296 ▼ -3% vs avg | $16,524 | 29% | 59 | |
| $54,329 ▲ +19% vs avg | $16,481 | 58% | 58 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Master's Programs in Montana
This analysis ranks 11 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $45,810 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 46% and an average net price of $16,020.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Blackfeet Community College — Net Price: $5,410 | Graduation Rate: 37%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Carroll College — 68% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Carroll College — Median alumni earnings: $61,772
Our Analysis Found
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?
$48,296
Median earnings (10yr)
47%
Median graduation rate
$16,558
Median net price
2.1%
Avg. mobility rate
Students tend to study where they live and work where they study, which makes a state's colleges its most important economic development asset. This ranking evaluates how well institutions across Montana serve that role: producing graduates with strong earnings, keeping talent in the regional economy, and offering affordable paths for local students.
The median graduation rate across these 11 schools is 47%. Median graduate earnings reach $48,296 ten years after enrollment, roughly $296 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $16,558 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $19,875. Some 32% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 2.1%.
For Montana, the institutions that combine manageable costs with strong graduate outcomes are the ones building the local workforce. With a median net price of $16,558 and graduates earning a median of $48,296, these schools sit where the talent pipeline and economic development meet.
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 64/100 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, 35% 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 62/100 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, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,784 a year. 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 #3
Rocky Mountain College lands at #3 with a 62/100 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, 7% 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 #4
Montana State University Billings lands at #4 with a 59/100 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, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,524 a year. 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 #5
Montana Technological University lands at #5 with a 58/100 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, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,481 a year. 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 #6
Montana State University-Northern lands at #6 with a 57/100 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, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,664 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
The University of Montana-Western lands at #7 with a 56/100 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, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,558 a year. 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 #8
Salish Kootenai College lands at #8 with a 55/100 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, 29% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
University of Providence lands at #9 with a 55/100 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, 5% 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 lands at #10 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, 16% 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 #11
Blackfeet Community College lands at #11 with a 42/100 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, 50% 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 11 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing the right master's program can feel overwhelming, especially in a state like Montana with its unique educational landscape. Here, we’ve identified 11 schools that offer advanced degrees, each contributing to the workforce in different ways. For many, the decision revolves around finding a program that aligns with career goals and financial realities.
What sets these programs apart are their outcomes in key areas: earnings potential, graduation rates, student debt, and overall completion rates. As you explore the list below, consider how each school's statistics reflect its ability to prepare graduates for success in the job market. A high earning potential coupled with manageable debt can be a powerful indicator of a program’s effectiveness.
For instance, Carroll College stands out with an impressive average earning of $61,772 and a graduation rate of 68%. In contrast, Salish Kootenai College, while offering a lower net price of $7,945, has a graduation rate of just 32% and earnings of $32,725. This comparison highlights the trade-offs between financial considerations and the likelihood of completing a degree that leads to higher earnings.
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 4 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 2.1%. 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 Carroll College (1.8%) and Montana State University Billings (1.6%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 8.7% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Montana State University Billings enrolls the most, at 11.3%, 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 25.2% 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 1.43, 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
While examining the data, one notable pattern emerges between Carroll College and Salish Kootenai College. Carroll College not only boasts a higher earning potential with $61,772 but also has a significantly better graduation rate at 68%. In contrast, Salish Kootenai College, despite its lower tuition costs, sees average earnings of only $32,725 and a graduation rate of just 32%. This illustrates how investment in a program can pay off in the long run, both in terms of financial return and degree completion.
As you weigh these options, think about what matters most to you: Is it location, program fit, or financial implications? Use this data as a starting point, but also consider visiting campuses or reaching out to current students. Each school has its unique culture, and understanding the environment can be just as important as the numbers.
This data underscores the critical choice families face regarding education and stability. A degree can be a pathway to improved earnings and job security, but the right choice depends heavily on individual circumstances. Take a moment to reflect on how this information might guide you in finding a program that not only fits your aspirations but also supports your financial well-being.
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 Master's Programs in Montana: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Master's Programs in Montana ranking? +
Carroll College in Helena, MT ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Master's Programs 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 $45,810 average across the 11 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, Blackfeet Community College leads: graduates earn a median $22,953 against net price of about $5,410 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 46% 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 $16,020 a year across the 11 ranked schools with cost data. Blackfeet Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $5,410. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Master's Programs 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 11 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
Related Rankings
