# Most Affordable Colleges in Montana

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 17 | Category: By State (Affordable)
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-montana

## Methodology

Ranked by lowest net price 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

Montana is home to several colleges offering affordable options for students seeking higher education without the burden of overwhelming debt. In this list, we highlight the most affordable colleges in the state, focusing on their net price and potential earnings after graduation. With costs rising nationwide, understanding where to find value is crucial for students and families making college decisions.

What sets these institutions apart is not just the price tag but their graduation rates and post-graduation earnings. We’ve compiled data that shows how much graduates earn on average and the percentage of students who successfully complete their programs. The list below ranks schools by net price, revealing not just affordability but also the outcomes that matter most when considering higher education.

For example, Fort Peck Community College has a remarkably low net price of $400 but comes with a graduation rate of only 16%. In contrast, Miles Community College offers a higher graduation rate of 55% with a net price of $10,405. This illustrates that while price is important, the ability to complete a degree and earn higher wages should also weigh heavily in decision-making.

## Key Findings

- Fort Peck Community College has an incredibly low net price of $400 but a graduation rate of just 16%.
- Miles Community College boasts the highest graduation rate at 55%, with net costs at $10,405.
- Flathead Valley Community College graduates earn an average of $38,520 annually, with a net price of $8,099.
- Overall, graduates from these colleges earn an average of $43,126, showcasing the potential for financial stability.

## Rankings

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

## 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. "Most Affordable Colleges in Montana." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-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/.