Most Affordable Colleges in Montana 2024
Here are the most affordable colleges and universities in Montana. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you, at a price you can afford.
Most Affordable Colleges in Montana 2024
- University of Montana
- Montana State University
- University of Montana Western
- Montana State University Billings
- Montana Technological University
- Montana State University–Northern
- University of Montana
- Montana State University
- Montana State University Billings
- University of Montana Western
- Montana Technological University
- Montana State University–Northern
- University of Montana 95%
- Montana Technological University 89%
- Montana State University 73%
- University of Montana Western 36%
- Montana State University 18 to 1
- University of Montana 17 to 1
- Montana State University Billings 15 to 1
- University of Montana Western 15 to 1
- Montana State University–Northern 14 to 1
- Montana Technological University 13 to 1
- Montana Technological University $5,878
- Montana State University $5,824
- University of Montana $5,515
- University of Montana Western $4,658
- Montana State University Billings $4,620
- Montana State University–Northern $4,496
- Montana State University Billings $6,172
- Montana State University–Northern $5,742
- Montana State University $5,241
- University of Montana $5,166
- Montana Technological University $4,848
- Montana State University–Northern
- Montana Technological University
- Montana State University Billings
- University of Montana Western
- Montana State University
- University of Montana
- Montana State University–Northern
- Montana Technological University
- University of Montana Western
- Montana State University Billings
- Montana State University
- University of Montana
- University of Montana Western 36%
- Montana State University 73%
- Montana Technological University 89%
- University of Montana 95%
- Montana Technological University 13 to 1
- Montana State University–Northern 14 to 1
- Montana State University Billings 15 to 1
- University of Montana Western 15 to 1
- University of Montana 17 to 1
- Montana State University 18 to 1
Colleges and Universities in Montana
Montana has 21 higher learning institutions, including 16 public universities and colleges. The largest is Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman. With an affordable tuition of $7,000, MSU enrolls just over 16,000 students. Students can earn their degree in fields like forestry, wildlife biology, theatre, and creative writing. The state is also home to five private schools, three of which are religiously affiliated.
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Carroll College is a Roman Catholic liberal arts college with just over 1,000 students in attendance. The tuition runs about $35,000, the most expensive in the state, and it is located on a hilltop in Helena. Students can choose from 18 schools in Montana with tuitions of $7,000 or less, making Montana an affordable state to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. The state also offers loan repayment programs, including the Montana NHSC Student Loan Repayment Program, which grants up to $15,000 per year for two years for those in health-related fields.
Hiking through Glacier National Park, exploring the Northern Great Plains, and fishing from one of its many lakes and rivers are just some of the ways to enjoy the natural bounty that Montana has to offer. Visitors and locals can also drive Going-to-the-Sun-Road, a 52-mile highway that ventures through the National Park and crosses into Canada. No matter the outdoor hobby, prospective students are sure to love the scenic backdrop of The Treasure State as they earn their degree.
Check out the best programs Montana has to offer while enjoying the wide-open spaces of Big Sky Country.
What are Montana’s Colleges & Universities?
- 2 Research Universities
- 7 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 3 Graduate Schools
- 6 Public Colleges & Universities
- 3 Private Colleges & Universities
- 3 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 7 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 6 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 2 Community Colleges
- 7 Online Colleges
Montana’s Best Overall
There are 6 colleges and universities in Montana with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in Montana is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.
Most Affordable Colleges in Montana 2023
These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.
- #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Best Graduate Schools in Montana 2025 #1 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2024 #1 Best Colleges in Montana 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Research Universities in Montana 2024
- #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Montana 2025
- #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Montana 2024
- #1 Best Online Colleges in Montana 2024
- #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Montana
- #3 Best Online Associate in Liberal Arts
- #5 Best Online Bachelor's in Anthropology 2025
- #6 Best Online Bachelor’s of Digital Media for 2025
- #7 Best Online Bachelor's in Social Work Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
- #7 15 Most Affordable Online Public Health Doctorates (PhDs)
- #9 20 Best Online Master's of Speech Pathology Degree Programs
- #14 Top 20 Most Affordable Online MBA Degree Programs Ranked 2024
- #18 Best Online Doctorate in Education Degree Programs Ranked for Students
- #21 Best Online Master’s in Education
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
46%
Student body
12K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Montana
Cost of Degree: $7,719Expenses: $17,640Starting Salary: $43,300Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Montana known for?
University of Montana’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Earth Sciences
- Chemistry
- Philosophy
- Biology
- Literature
- History
- Education
- Communications
- Law
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
University of Montana’s Online Degrees
BA in Art
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Media Arts
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Anthropology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Communicative Sciences And Disorders
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #2 Best Graduate Schools in Montana 2025 #2 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2024 #2 Best Colleges in Montana 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
57%
Student body
19K
Median SAT/ACT
1180/23
Career Outlook for degree at Montana State University
Cost of Degree: $7,727Expenses: $16,800Starting Salary: $48,900Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Montana State University known for?
Montana State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Montana State University’s Online Degrees
BA in Liberal Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Quaternity
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Montana 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in Montana 2024 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2024
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
36%
Graduation
45%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Montana Western
Cost of Degree: $5,874Expenses: $14,111Starting Salary: $36,700Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Montana Western known for?
University of Montana Western’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
University of Montana Western’s Online Degrees
BS in Early Childhood Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Montana 2024 #3 Best Small Colleges in Montana 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2024 #5 Best Colleges in Montana 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
29%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Montana State University Billings
Cost of Degree: $6,198Expenses: $15,188Starting Salary: $38,700Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Montana State University Billings known for?
Montana State University Billings’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Psychology
- History
- Education
- Sociology
- Computer Science
- Literature
- Medical
- Political Science
- Business
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
Montana State University Billings’s Online Degrees
BSBA in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Accounting
- General Business
- Management
- Marketing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Communication
Degree Concentrations
- Organization
- Media Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSLS in Liberal Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Public Relations
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSHA in Health Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Graduate Schools in Montana 2025 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Montana 2024 #5 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2024 #5 Best Small Colleges in Montana 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
57%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1185/22
Career Outlook for degree at Montana Technological University
Cost of Degree: $7,527Expenses: $16,091Starting Salary: $52,100Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Montana Technological University known for?
Montana Technological University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Montana Technological University’s Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #6 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2024 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Montana 2024 #7 Best Small Colleges in Montana 2024 #9 Best Colleges in Montana 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
29%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Montana State University–Northern
Cost of Degree: $5,955Expenses: $11,070Starting Salary: $40,400Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Montana State University–Northern known for?
Montana State University–Northern’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Montana State University–Northern’s Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Business Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Trades Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Community Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
If you would like to continue your education with an MBA degree, there are a number of top-ranked online MBA programs in Montana.