Most Affordable Colleges in Montana 2026
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.
Key Takeaways
- The most affordable colleges in Montana have in-state tuition and fees around $6,000, making higher education more accessible.
- With smaller class sizes, students at the most affordable colleges in Montana receive individualized support and mentorship from faculty, enhancing their academic experience.
- The colleges in our ranking provide a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, allowing students to pursue various fields of study and tailor their education to their interests.
Most Affordable Colleges in Montana in 2026
Finding the most affordable colleges in Montana means looking beyond sticker tuition to academic fit, residency rules, and net cost after aid. This list highlights six fully accredited Montana institutions that offer bachelor’s programs with stated tuition and fees near or below the national average and under $20,000/year for many students — a useful starting point for cost-conscious applicants and families. For a quick view of schools with stated tuition under $20,000, see this searchable list.
Use these entries to compare in-state versus out-of-state rates, typical program lengths, and available institutional aid; affordability is meaningful only when paired with program quality and realistic total cost estimates.
Most Affordable Colleges in Montana
These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.
- #1 Best Colleges in Montana 2026 #1 Best Research Universities in Montana 2026 #1 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2026 #1 Best Graduate Schools in Montana 2026
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
46%
Student body
12K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Montana
Cost of Degree: $8,152Expenses: $17,076Starting 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 Best Colleges in Montana 2026 #2 Best Research Universities in Montana 2026 #2 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2026 #2 Best Graduate Schools in Montana 2026
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: $8,083Expenses: $18,588Starting Salary: $48,900Cost Recoup Time: 11 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
- #2 Best Small Colleges in Montana 2025 #3 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2026 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Montana 2024 #4 Best Colleges in Montana 2026
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
29%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Montana State University Billings
Cost of Degree: $6,706Expenses: $16,990Starting Salary: $38,700Cost Recoup Time: 12 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
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Montana 2024 #3 Best Small Colleges in Montana 2025 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2026
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
36%
Graduation
45%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Montana Western
Cost of Degree: $6,431Expenses: $15,282Starting 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 Graduate Schools in Montana 2026 #5 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2026 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Montana 2024 #6 Best Colleges in Montana 2026
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: $7,993Expenses: $16,838Starting 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 2026 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Montana 2024 #7 Best Small Colleges in Montana 2025 #9 Best Colleges in Montana 2026
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
29%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Montana State University–Northern
Cost of Degree: $5,955Expenses: $11,626Starting 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.
