2026 Best Value Science & Tech Schools in Montana
Looking for the best-value Science & Tech degree programs in Montana? We have ranked 29 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed 11 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Science & Tech Degree Schools in Montana
Explore the best-value schools below:
Leading the list is Helena College University Of Montana, our #1 best-value Science & Tech school in Montana. Based in Helena, MT, Helena College University Of Montana is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,278. Graduates carry a median of $19,906 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,738 ten years after entry. Set against $19,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Helena College University Of Montana
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana came in at #2 on this year's best-value Science & Tech ranking in Montana. Set in Butte, MT, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,289, compared with $26,094 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,962 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Median earnings reach $54,329 ten years out. Set against $23,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana admits about 91% of applicants. See the full Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana profile
The University Of Montana Western came in at #3 on this year's best-value Science & Tech ranking in Montana. Based in Dillon, MT, The University Of Montana Western is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,669, compared with $20,130 for out-of-state students. The University Of Montana Western Science & Tech students take on a median of $22,484 in debt. The University Of Montana Western alumni report median earnings of $43,229 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,484 median debt. The University Of Montana Western has an acceptance rate of 100%. Read more about The University Of Montana Western
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montana State University Northern earned it the #4 place in Montana. Located in Havre, MT, Montana State University Northern is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,982, while out-of-state students pay about $21,875. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $23,855. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,505. That is a strong return on a $23,855 median debt. More on Montana State University Northern
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montana State University Billings earned it the #5 place in Montana. Based in Billings, MT, Montana State University Billings is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,280, while out-of-state students pay about $22,897. The median Science & Tech program debt is $25,465. Median earnings reach $44,296 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Montana State University Billings report
Flathead Valley Community College landed the #6 spot for value in Montana this year. Based in Kalispell, MT, Flathead Valley Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,912, compared with $11,659 for out-of-state students. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $16,094. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Flathead Valley Community College report
Montana State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. This public school is set in Bozeman, MT. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Montana State University Science & Tech students take on a median of $23,635 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montana State University has an acceptance rate of 82%. Get the full Montana State University report
The University Of Montana ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Set in Missoula, MT, The University Of Montana is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Students borrow a median of $24,342 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Median earnings reach $44,511 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 96% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on The University Of Montana
University Of Great Falls placed #9 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in Montana. Based in Great Falls, MT, University Of Great Falls is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,448. Graduates carry a median of $23,847 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,296 ten years after entry. Set against $23,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Great Falls
Carroll College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Set in Helena, MT, Carroll College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,484. Students borrow a median of $24,912 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Carroll College alumni report median earnings of $61,772 a decade after entry. Set against $24,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carroll College admits about 71% of applicants. Get the full Carroll College report
Rocky Mountain College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Billings, MT. In-state tuition and fees average $35,582. Graduates carry a median of $25,666 in student loans. Rocky Mountain College alumni report median earnings of $49,036 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,666 median debt. Rocky Mountain College admits about 70% of applicants. Get the full Rocky Mountain College report
Miles Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Read more about Miles Community College
Blackfeet Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Read the full report on Blackfeet Community College
Creviers Academy Of Cosmetology Arts ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. See the full Creviers Academy Of Cosmetology Arts profile
Little Big Horn College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. More on Little Big Horn College
Fort Peck Community College placed #16 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in Montana. Get the full Fort Peck Community College report
Pima Medical Institute Dillon came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Pima Medical Institute Dillon
Montana Academy Of Salons placed #18 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in Montana. Read more about Montana Academy Of Salons
Great Falls College Montana State University offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Read more about Great Falls College Montana State University
Aveda Institute Montana ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Read more about Aveda Institute Montana
Stone Child College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. See the full Stone Child College profile
Dawson Community College came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. See the full Dawson Community College profile
Butte Academy Of Beauty Culture placed #23 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in Montana. Read more about Butte Academy Of Beauty Culture
Salish Kootenai College landed the #24 spot for value in Montana this year. More on Salish Kootenai College
Chief Dull Knife College placed #25 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in Montana. Get the full Chief Dull Knife College report
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Science & Tech Degree Schools in Montana
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Highlands College Of Montana Tech offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. More on Highlands College Of Montana Tech
Aaniiih Nakoda College came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. See the full Aaniiih Nakoda College profile
Academy Of Cosmetology Bozeman landed the #28 spot for value in Montana this year. Get the full Academy Of Cosmetology Bozeman report
Montana Bible College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Read the full report on Montana Bible College
More Science & Tech Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 11 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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