# Best Online Colleges in Montana

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-06-07 | Schools: 15 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-online-colleges-montana

## Methodology

Online programs in Montana ranked by outcomes and value

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.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [The University of Montana](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-montana) | Missoula, MT | 47% | $44,511 | $16,784 | $22,400 | 0.5x |
| 2 | [Flathead Valley Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/flathead-valley-community-college) | Kalispell, MT | 28% | $38,520 | $8,099 | $10,500 | 0.27x |
| 3 | [Miles Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/miles-community-college) | Miles City, MT | 55% | $42,862 | $10,405 | $11,500 | 0.27x |
| 4 | [Helena College University of Montana](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/helena-college-university-of-montana) | Helena, MT | 37% | $40,738 | $11,593 | $14,580 | 0.36x |
| 5 | [Montana State University Billings](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/montana-state-university-billings) | Billings, MT | 29% | $44,296 | $16,524 | $18,209 | 0.41x |
| 6 | [Highlands College of Montana Tech](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/highlands-college-of-montana-tech) | Butte, MT | 36% | $54,329 | $14,962 | $18,750 | 0.35x |
| 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 Online Colleges in Montana." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-06-07. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-online-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/.