by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in Montana, it can be hard to know where to start. We have ranked **9** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual evaluated 9 colleges across over 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
No school ranked higher than Montana State University this year in Montana. Set in Bozeman, MT, Montana State University is a public institution. Montana State University graduates 57% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Montana State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $47,703. Montana State University students take on a median of $23,635 in debt.
You'll be in good company at Highlands College Of Montana Tech, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Butte, MT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,127, compared with $10,948 for out-of-state students. Highlands College Of Montana Tech graduates report median early-career earnings of $58,838. The median student debt is $2,750.
The strong outcomes at The University Of Montana Western earned it the #3 place in Montana. The University Of Montana Western is a public school based in Dillon, MT. The University Of Montana Western graduates 54% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,669, compared with $20,130 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $36,924. Typical student debt is $22,484.
The strong outcomes at Montana State University Northern earned it the #4 place in Montana. Located in Havre, MT, Montana State University Northern is a public institution. Montana State University Northern graduates 30% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,982, while out-of-state students pay about $21,875. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $50,896. The median student debt is $23,855.
Out of the 9 colleges in Montana in this year's ranking, Dawson Community College landed the #5 spot. Dawson Community College is a public school based in Glendive, MT. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,010, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Dawson Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $25,631. The median student debt is $11,000.
The University Of Montana did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Missoula, MT, The University Of Montana is a public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $42,654. Graduates carry a median of $24,342 in student loans.
Montana State University Billings landed the #7 spot in Montana this year. This public school is set in Billings, MT. Montana State University Billings graduates 34% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,280, while out-of-state students pay about $22,897. Early-career graduates earn a median of $48,764. Montana State University Billings students take on a median of $25,465 in debt.
Miles Community College did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Miles City, MT, Miles Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,500, compared with $11,220 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $67,708. Graduates carry a median of $20,574 in student loans.
Flathead Valley Community College came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Kalispell, MT, Flathead Valley Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,912, compared with $11,659 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $45,868. Flathead Valley Community College students take on a median of $16,094 in debt.
Helena College University Of Montana ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Set in Helena, MT, Helena College University Of Montana is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,106, compared with $11,278 for out-of-state students. Helena College University Of Montana graduates report median early-career earnings of $47,160. Helena College University Of Montana students take on a median of $19,906 in debt.
Great Falls College Montana State University landed the #11 spot in Montana this year. Based in Great Falls, MT, Great Falls College Montana State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,028, while out-of-state students pay about $12,911.
Salish Kootenai College placed #12 among the best colleges in Montana. Based in Pablo, MT, Salish Kootenai College is a public institution. Roughly 5% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $4,311 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,583 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $52,607.
Fort Peck Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Located in Poplar, MT, Fort Peck Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,250.
Chief Dull Knife College placed #14 among the best colleges in Montana. This public school is set in Lame Deer, MT. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,260.
Aaniiih Nakoda College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Set in Harlem, MT, Aaniiih Nakoda College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,080.
Little Big Horn College placed #16 among the best colleges in Montana. Based in Crow Agency, MT, Little Big Horn College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,200.
Stone Child College landed the #17 spot in Montana this year. Set in Box Elder, MT, Stone Child College is a public institution. Stone Child College graduates 50% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,610.
Blackfeet Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Set in Browning, MT, Blackfeet Community College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,610.
Pima Medical Institute Dillon did well this year, earning the #19 position. This private for-profit school is set in Dillon, MT. Early-career graduates earn a median of $31,470. Typical student debt is $14,273.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.