by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in Montana, narrowing things down is no easy task. We have ranked **8** programs by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 8 graduate schools 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.
Here is the early-career salary range across the top-ranked graduate schools:
Here are the top-ranked graduate schools:
Carroll College earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Montana. Set in Helena, MT, Carroll College is a private not-for-profit institution. Carroll College posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,484. Early-career graduates earn a median of $40,797. Graduates carry a median of $24,912 in student loans.
Out of the 8 graduate schools in Montana in this year's ranking, Montana State University landed the #2 spot. Based 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, 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.
You'll be in good company at Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana, which ranked #3 this year. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a public school based in Butte, MT. About 58% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,289, while out-of-state students pay about $26,094. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,773 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $23,962.
Out of the 8 graduate schools in Montana in this year's ranking, Rocky Mountain College landed the #4 spot. Based in Billings, MT, Rocky Mountain College is a private not-for-profit institution. Rocky Mountain College posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,582. Median early-career earnings reach $50,022. Rocky Mountain College students take on a median of $25,666 in debt.
Out of the 8 graduate schools in Montana in this year's ranking, University Of Great Falls landed the #5 spot. University Of Great Falls is a private not-for-profit school based in Great Falls, MT. University Of Great Falls posts a six-year graduation rate of 21%. Students from in state pay about $30,448 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $104,670 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $23,847 in student loans.
The University Of Montana landed the #6 spot in Montana this year. The University Of Montana is a public school based in Missoula, MT. The University Of Montana graduates 49% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Median early-career earnings reach $42,654. Students borrow a median of $24,342 to complete a degree here.
Montana State University Northern placed #7 among the best graduate schools in Montana. This public school is set in Havre, MT. About 30% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,982, while out-of-state students pay about $21,875. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,896 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,855 to complete a degree here.
Montana State University Billings landed the #8 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, compared with $22,897 for out-of-state students. Montana State University Billings graduates report median early-career earnings of $48,764. Students borrow a median of $25,465 to complete a degree here.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs 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.
