Most Affordable Colleges in Montana 2024

Badge for MOST AFFORDABLE COLLEGES IN MONTANA
By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Dr. Jed Macosko
Published:
Updated:

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

Sort by:
  1. University of Montana
  2. Montana State University
  3. University of Montana Western
  4. Montana State University Billings
  5. Montana Technological University
  6. Montana State University–Northern
  1. University of Montana
  2. Montana State University
  3. Montana State University Billings
  4. University of Montana Western
  5. Montana Technological University
  6. Montana State University–Northern
  1. University of Montana 95%
  2. Montana Technological University 89%
  3. Montana State University 73%
  4. University of Montana Western 36%
  1. Montana State University 18 to 1
  2. University of Montana 17 to 1
  3. Montana State University Billings 15 to 1
  4. University of Montana Western 15 to 1
  5. Montana State University–Northern 14 to 1
  6. Montana Technological University 13 to 1
  1. Montana Technological University $5,878
  2. Montana State University $5,824
  3. University of Montana $5,515
  4. University of Montana Western $4,658
  5. Montana State University Billings $4,620
  6. Montana State University–Northern $4,496
  1. Montana State University Billings $6,172
  2. Montana State University–Northern $5,742
  3. Montana State University $5,241
  4. University of Montana $5,166
  5. Montana Technological University $4,848
  1. Montana State University–Northern
  2. Montana Technological University
  3. Montana State University Billings
  4. University of Montana Western
  5. Montana State University
  6. University of Montana
  1. Montana State University–Northern
  2. Montana Technological University
  3. University of Montana Western
  4. Montana State University Billings
  5. Montana State University
  6. University of Montana
  1. University of Montana Western 36%
  2. Montana State University 73%
  3. Montana Technological University 89%
  4. University of Montana 95%
  1. Montana Technological University 13 to 1
  2. Montana State University–Northern 14 to 1
  3. Montana State University Billings 15 to 1
  4. University of Montana Western 15 to 1
  5. University of Montana 17 to 1
  6. Montana State University 18 to 1
  1. Montana State University–Northern $4,496
  2. Montana State University Billings $4,620
  3. University of Montana Western $4,658
  4. University of Montana $5,515
  5. Montana State University $5,824
  6. Montana Technological University $5,878
  1. Montana Technological University $4,848
  2. University of Montana $5,166
  3. Montana State University $5,241
  4. Montana State University–Northern $5,742
  5. Montana State University Billings $6,172

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.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

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?

Montana’s Best Overall

Montana's Most Affordable Colleges and Universities Badge
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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.

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Most Affordable Colleges in Montana 2023

These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.

  1. #1

    University of Montana

    Missoula , MT
    #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

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    12K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Montana

    Cost of Degree: $7,719
    Expenses: $17,640
    Starting Salary: $43,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Montana known for?

    University of Montana’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    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
    Compare school
  2. #2

    Montana State University

    Bozeman , MT
    #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: $7,727
    Expenses: $16,800
    Starting Salary: $48,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What 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
    Compare school
  3. #3

    University of Montana Western

    Dillon , MT
    #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
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    36%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Montana Western

    Cost of Degree: $5,874
    Expenses: $14,111
    Starting Salary: $36,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What 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
    Compare school
  4. #4

    Montana State University Billings

    Billings , MT
    #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: $6,198
    Expenses: $15,188
    Starting Salary: $38,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Montana State University Billings known for?

    Montana State University Billings’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    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
    Compare school
  5. #5

    Montana Technological University

    Butte , MT
    #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: $7,527
    Expenses: $16,091
    Starting Salary: $52,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What 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
    Compare school
  7. #6

    Montana State University–Northern

    Havre , MT
    #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: $5,955
    Expenses: $11,070
    Starting Salary: $40,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What 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
    Compare school

If you would like to continue your education with an MBA degree, there are a number of top-ranked online MBA programs in Montana.

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Montana’s Most Affordable Colleges in Your Area of Interest

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2021 Ranking Archive
  1. University of Montana Western
  2. Montana State University Billings
  3. Montana State University–Northern
  4. University of Montana
  5. Montana State University
  6. Montana Technological University
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