by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in Montana, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. This list ranks **8** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 8 colleges on more than 20 objective measures 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:
Leading the list is Carroll College, our #1 college in Montana. Located in Helena, MT, Carroll College is a private not-for-profit institution. Carroll College graduates 69% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,484. Median early-career earnings reach $40,797. The median student debt is $24,912.
The strong outcomes at Montana State University earned it the #2 place in Montana. Located in Bozeman, MT, Montana State University is a public institution. Montana State University graduates 57% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $47,703. Graduates carry a median of $23,635 in student loans.
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana came in at #3 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Montana. This public school is set in Butte, MT. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana graduates 58% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,289, while out-of-state students pay about $26,094. Median early-career earnings reach $68,773. Typical student debt is $23,962.
Out of the 8 colleges in Montana in this year's ranking, University Of Great Falls landed the #4 spot. Located in Great Falls, MT, University Of Great Falls is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 21%. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,448. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $104,670. University Of Great Falls students take on a median of $23,847 in debt.
Out of the 8 colleges in Montana in this year's ranking, The University Of Montana landed the #5 spot. Set in Missoula, MT, The University Of Montana is a public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Median early-career earnings reach $42,654. The University Of Montana students take on a median of $24,342 in debt.
Rocky Mountain College did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Billings, MT, Rocky Mountain College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,582. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $50,022. The median student debt is $25,666.
The University Of Montana Western came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set in Dillon, MT, The University Of Montana Western is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,669, while out-of-state students pay about $20,130. Early-career graduates earn a median of $36,924. The University Of Montana Western students take on a median of $22,484 in debt.
Montana State University Billings placed #8 among the best colleges in Montana. Montana State University Billings is a public school based in Billings, MT. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $7,280, compared with $22,897 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $48,764. The median student debt is $25,465.
Montana State University Northern landed the #9 spot in Montana this year. Based in Havre, MT, Montana State University Northern is a public institution. Roughly 30% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $6,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,875. Median early-career earnings reach $50,896. Montana State University Northern students take on a median of $23,855 in debt.
Salish Kootenai College landed the #10 spot in Montana this year. Salish Kootenai College is a public school based in Pablo, MT. The six-year graduation rate is 5%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,311, compared with $11,583 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,607 early in their careers.
Stone Child College landed the #11 spot in Montana this year. Stone Child College is a public school based in Box Elder, MT. About 50% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,610.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Colleges are scored on 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
See our data sources and methodologies.
