Colleges in Montana
All 25 degree-granting colleges in Montana, sorted by published in-state tuition. Click any column header to re-sort.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive college in Montana is $36,778 per year — about $147,112 over a four-year degree.
All 25 colleges, cheapest first
| College | In-state | Out-of-state | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Peck Community CollegePublicPoplar · 2-year | $2,250 | $2,250 | Public |
| 2 | Chief Dull Knife CollegePublicLame Deer · 2-year | $2,260 | $2,260 | Public |
| 3 | Aaniiih Nakoda CollegePublicHarlem · Less than 2-year | $2,410 | $2,410 | Public |
| 4 | Stone Child CollegePublicBox Elder · Less than 2-year | $2,645 | $2,645 | Public |
| 5 | Little Big Horn CollegePublicCrow Agency · 2-year | $3,200 | $3,200 | Public |
| 6 | Great Falls College Montana State UniversityPublicGreat Falls · 2-year | $3,532 | $3,532 | Public |
| 7 | Helena College University of MontanaPublicHelena · 2-year | $3,590 | $3,590 | Public |
| 8 | Blackfeet Community CollegePrivateBrowning · Less than 2-year | $3,610 | $3,610 | Private nonprofit |
| 9 | Highlands College of Montana TechPublicButte · 2-year | $3,667 | $3,667 | Public |
| 10 | Dawson Community CollegePublicGlendive · 2-year | $4,245 | $6,075 | Public |
| 11 | Salish Kootenai CollegePublicPablo · Less than 2-year | $4,311 | $6,399 | Public |
| 12 | Miles Community CollegePublicMiles City · 2-year | $4,620 | $6,240 | Public |
| 13 | Flathead Valley Community CollegePublicKalispell · 2-year | $5,370 | $6,798 | Public |
| 14 | The University of Montana-WesternPublicDillon · Less than 2-year | $5,874 | $5,874 | Public |
| 15 | Montana State University-NorthernPublicHavre · Less than 2-year | $5,955 | $5,955 | Public |
| 16 | Montana State University BillingsPublicBillings · Less than 2-year | $6,198 | $6,198 | Public |
| 17 | Montana Technological UniversityPublicButte · Less than 2-year | $7,527 | $7,527 | Public |
| 18 | The University of MontanaPublicMissoula · Less than 2-year | $7,719 | $7,719 | Public |
| 19 | Montana State UniversityPublicBozeman · Less than 2-year | $7,727 | $7,727 | Public |
| 20 | Montana Bible CollegePrivateBozeman · Less than 2-year | $10,090 | $10,090 | Private nonprofit |
| 21 | University of ProvidencePrivateGreat Falls · Less than 2-year | $27,606 | $27,606 | Private nonprofit |
| 22 | Rocky Mountain CollegePrivateBillings · Less than 2-year | $32,252 | $32,252 | Private nonprofit |
| 23 | Carroll CollegePrivateHelena · Less than 2-year | $39,028 | $39,028 | Private nonprofit |
| 24 | Pima Medical Institute-DillonFor-profitDillon · 2-year | — | — | Private for-profit |
| 25 | Yellowstone Christian CollegePrivateBillings · Less than 2-year | — | — | Private nonprofit |
Questions
What is the cheapest college in Montana?
Fort Peck Community College in Poplar, at $2,250 per year for in-state students. The next cheapest are Chief Dull Knife College ($2,260), Aaniiih Nakoda College ($2,410), Stone Child College ($2,645).
How much does college cost in Montana?
The median published in-state tuition is $4,620 per year across 23 colleges that reported. Community colleges sit at the low end; private four-year schools at the high end. Remember this is tuition and fees only — housing, food and books are extra.
Public or private — which is cheaper?
Public colleges usually have a much lower sticker price for state residents because taxpayers subsidize them. But private colleges often give larger scholarships, so the net price can end up similar. Always compare after aid, not before.
Do I have to live in Montana to get in-state tuition?
Generally yes, and the rules are stricter than people expect. Most states require 12 months of residency for reasons other than education, plus proof like a driver's license, voter registration and tax filings. Check the specific school's residency policy.
About this data
Every figure comes from IPEDS 2022 — the survey every U.S. college receiving federal student aid must complete. We list published tuition and fees for full-time undergraduates. Schools that did not report tuition appear at the bottom with a dash. Confirm current pricing on each school's website before applying.