Best Value Schools for a degree in Montana
Here are the most affordable colleges in Montana. We have sorted our list based on the average cost of attendance after financial aid is factored in. In-state tuition is used for public universities.
-
The University of Montana-Western
The University of Montana-Western is a four-year, full-time, inclusive, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Dillon, MT. It has an enrollment of 1,283 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 33.33%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $12,938.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1.
The average SAT score was unreported for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was unreported for the incoming class to 2023.
Recent Graduate Salaries
(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,221
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,925
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,437
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,771
- Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,009
The University of Montana-Western School Spirit
The University of Montana-Western is well known for its unique program called “Experience One”, which allows students to take one class at a time for 18 days before moving on to the next one. This program tends to foster a strong sense of community at the university, which is reflected in the school spirit. The Bulldogs, as the athletic teams of the university are known, are supported by a passionate group of students, alumni, and community members. The university also organizes a number of events throughout the academic year, such as homecoming, basketball games, and bonfires, that foster a strong sense of school spirit. Overall, the University of Montana-Western has a strong and growing culture of school spirit.
-
The University of Montana
The University of Montana is a four-year, full-time, selective, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Missoula, MT. It has an enrollment of 7,026 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 82.14%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $13,799.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1126.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 22.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
Recent Graduate Salaries
(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,319
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research. (Master’s Degree) – $30,771
- Forestry. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,823
- Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,194
- Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,947
- Journalism. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,353
- Computer and Information Sciences, General. (Associate’s Degree) – $37,568
- Computer and Information Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $67,660
- Education, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,514
- Curriculum and Instruction. (Master’s Degree) – $38,289
- Student Counseling and Personnel Services. (Master’s Degree) – $38,289
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,409
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,856
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $10,613
- Law. (First Professional Degree) – $52,433
- Legal Support Services. (Associate’s Degree) – $31,314
- English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,325
- Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $29,685
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Associate’s Degree) – $22,912
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $21,052
- Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $23,745
- Mathematics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,701
- Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $23,340
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,771
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
- Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,498
- Psychology, General. (Doctoral Degree) – $76,460
- Public Administration. (Master’s Degree) – $47,260
- Social Work. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,374
- Social Work. (Master’s Degree) – $38,443
- Anthropology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,236
- Anthropology. (Master’s Degree) – $37,208
- Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,822
- Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,515
- Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies. (Associate’s Degree) – $39,153
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $19,719
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $20,637
- Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $21,052
- Music. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
- Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Master’s Degree) – $45,852
- Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. (Associate’s Degree) – $30,988
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. (Associate’s Degree) – $42,682
- Health/Medical Preparatory Programs. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,960
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. (First Professional Degree) – $113,016
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (First Professional Degree) – $62,707
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Associate’s Degree) – $57,318
- Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,934
- Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $58,673
- Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,729
- Accounting and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $52,107
- Management Information Systems and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $55,286
- Marketing. (Associate’s Degree) – $22,578
- History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $22,420
The University of Montana School Spirit
At the University of Montana, school spirit is a strong part of campus culture. Students and alumni are proud to show off their school spirit by wearing Griz gear and participating in school events and traditions. The university’s intercollegiate athletics program, particularly football, attracts a lot of attention, and students often attend games and tailgates to support their team. The school also has a strong commitment to community service and sustainability, which are additional sources of pride for students and alumni. Overall, school spirit is an important part of the University of Montana experience.
-
Montana State University Billings
Montana State University Billings is a four-year, medium full-time, inclusive, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Billings, MT. It has an enrollment of 2,818 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is unreported. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $14,676.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.
The average SAT score was unreported for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was unreported for the incoming class to 2023.
Recent Graduate Salaries
(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,289
- Special Education and Teaching. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,774
- Special Education and Teaching. (Master’s Degree) – $37,208
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,284
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,250
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $43,993
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
- Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,890
- Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,851
- Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. (Associate’s Degree) – $39,909
- Precision Metal Working. (Associate’s Degree) – $36,848
- Health and Medical Administrative Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,289
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Associate’s Degree) – $58,402
- Business/Commerce, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,369
Montana State University Billings School Spirit
Montana State University Billings has a vibrant school spirit culture with a range of events and traditions that students can participate in. MSU Billings’ mascot is the Yellowjacket, and the university’s athletics teams are members of the NCAA Division II. Students can attend games and participate in tailgating events to show their support for the teams. The university also hosts homecoming events, pep rallies, and other activities that contribute to the campus’s vibrant school spirit. Furthermore, students can participate in various clubs and organizations, including fraternities and sororities, that promote school spirit and provide opportunities to socialize and connect with others who share their love for MSU Billings.
-
Montana Technological University
Montana Technological University is a four-year, full-time, selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Butte, MT. It has an enrollment of 1,467 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 89.84%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $15,789.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1172.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 24.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
Recent Graduate Salaries
(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)
- Engineering, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $58,334
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $71,015
- Mining and Mineral Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $84,653
- Petroleum Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $78,343
- Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians. (Associate’s Degree) – $38,829
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. (Master’s Degree) – $52,733
- Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology. (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) – $42,235
- Precision Metal Working. (Associate’s Degree) – $38,829
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. (Associate’s Degree) – $50,606
- Public Health. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $64,344
- Public Health. (Master’s Degree) – $84,653
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Associate’s Degree) – $56,157
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $56,415
- Management Information Systems and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,281
Montana Technological University School Spirit
Montana Technological University is known for having a strong sense of school spirit. The university’s sports teams are known as the “Orediggers,” and there is a lot of support for their athletics programs. The campus community also organizes a range of activities throughout the year, including homecoming events, tailgating parties, and other traditions that promote school spirit. Montana Tech students and alumni are proud of their school’s academic and athletic accomplishments, and the camaraderie and shared enthusiasm for the university help create a strong sense of community on campus.
-
Montana State University
Montana State University is a four-year, full-time, selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Bozeman, MT. It has an enrollment of 14,329 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 73.00%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $19,413.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1176.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 24.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
Recent Graduate Salaries
(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)
- Agricultural Business and Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,848
- Animal Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,194
- Plant Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,194
- Natural Resources Management and Policy. (Master’s Degree) – $48,432
- Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
- Architecture. (Master’s Degree) – $45,305
- Environmental Design. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,289
- Computer Science. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $72,325
- Education, General. (Master’s Degree) – $40,089
- Education, General. (Graduate/Professional Certificate) – $53,629
- Educational Administration and Supervision. (Master’s Degree) – $53,671
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,823
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Master’s Degree) – $57,318
- Chemical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,565
- Civil Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $56,234
- Computer Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $65,332
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $65,387
- Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $61,090
- Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $57,318
- Construction Engineering Technologies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $63,997
- Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. (Associate’s Degree) – $42,123
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,960
- Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,822
- English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,616
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Associate’s Degree) – $26,121
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,525
- Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,387
- Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,891
- Microbiological Sciences and Immunology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,565
- Mathematics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,416
- Mathematics. (Master’s Degree) – $40,467
- Sustainability Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $17,470
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,960
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. (Master’s Degree) – $52,107
- Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,882
- Anthropology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,669
- Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,594
- Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,772
- Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,103
- Precision Metal Working. (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) – $33,459
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $22,572
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts. (Master’s Degree) – $44,572
- Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,250
- Music. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $22,192
- Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) – $29,685
- Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $39,523
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $59,411
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Master’s Degree) – $78,343
- Business/Commerce, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,697
- Accounting and Related Services. (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) – $25,967
- Accounting and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $57,860
- History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,585
Montana State University School Spirit
Montana State University (MSU) is known for its vibrant school spirit and active student life. The university’s athletic teams, the Bobcats, compete in the NCAA Division I within the Big Sky Conference and offer a range of sports such as football, basketball, cross country, track and field, volleyball, and more. The university also has a student-run pep band, the Spirit of the West Marching Band, which plays at sporting events and other campus celebrations. In addition to athletics, students can get involved in more than 250 campus clubs and organizations, including fraternities and sororities, music and arts groups, service organizations, and academic groups. All of these activities contribute to a strong sense of school pride and community at Montana State University.
-
Carroll College
Carroll College is a four-year, full-time, selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Helena, MT. It has an enrollment of 1,084 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 83.92%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $23,992.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1200.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 25.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
Recent Graduate Salaries
(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
- Civil Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $50,856
- Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $16,293
- Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,194
- Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,281
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,119
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,353
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $60,325
- Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,526
Carroll College School Spirit
Carroll College is known for its strong school spirit. The students, faculty, and staff take pride in their school and showcase it through various activities, events, and traditions. The Fighting Saints athletic teams are very popular among students and alumni, and sporting events are well-attended. The Carroll College campus is also home to many student organizations, including academic, cultural, and service-oriented groups, which contribute to a lively campus life and a strong sense of community. Overall, Carroll College has a vibrant and enthusiastic school spirit that is felt throughout the campus community.