2025-26 Statistics

Colleges in Montana

At a Glance
Admission, Tuition, Population, and more
Updated: May 14, 2026
Montana has 29 colleges and universities.
29 schools offer undergraduate programs and 10 schools offer graduate programs.
In Montana, there are 1 ABA-accredited law schools and 0 LCME-accredited medical schools.
By school type, 18 public and 11 private colleges are active for the academic year 2024-2025 in Montana.
By school level, there are 15 4-Years Colleges, 9 Community Colleges, and 5 Technical Colleges in Montana.
4-Years CollegesCommunity CollegesTechnical Colleges
Total1595
Public990
Private (not-for-profit)600
Private (for-profit)005
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Average Tuition & Fees

For 4-year colleges, the average undergraduate tuition & fees are $6,591 for Montana residents and $19,581 for out-of-state students.
For graduate programs, the average tuition & fees are $7,032 for Montana residents and $21,004 for out-of-state students.
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4-Year Colleges Tuition

Over the past 5 years, 4-year college tuition has increased 15.6% for in-state and 18.5% for out-of-state students at public schools.
At private schools, the tuition has increased 27.6%. See the detailed tuition history below.
Montana Colleges Tuition & Fees
Public SchoolsPrivate Schools
MT ResidentsOut-of-State
2021$5,704$16,527$19,713
2022$5,725$16,788$21,590
2023$5,828$17,256$22,517
2024$6,325$18,386$23,966
2025$6,591$19,581$25,153
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Community Colleges Tuition

Over the past 5 years, community college tuition has increased 11.2% for in-state and 1.6% for out-of-state students at public schools.
Montana Community Colleges Tuition & Fees
Public SchoolsPrivate Schools
MT ResidentsOut-of-State
2021$4,036$8,261-
2022$4,069$8,467-
2023$4,168$8,706-
2024$4,391$9,112-
2025$4,488$8,393-
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Graduate Schools Tuition

The graduate tuition has increased 3.3% for in-state and 0.4% for out-of-state students over the past 5 years
At private graduate schools, the tuition has increased 17.2%.
Montana Graduate Schools Tuition & Fees
Public SchoolsPrivate Schools
MT ResidentsOut-of-State
2021$6,805$20,923$24,271
2022$6,896$19,944$26,514
2023$6,791$20,083$24,540
2024$6,611$19,533$25,227
2025$7,032$21,004$28,443
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Living Costs

The average living costs at Montana colleges are $14,496 when a student lives on-campus and $15,058 when living-off campus.
On-campus living costs have increased 25.3% and off-campus costs have increased 22.4% over the past 5 years.
Living Costs at Montana Colleges
On-CampusOff-Campus
2021$11,565$12,298
2022$11,864$12,827
2023$12,749$13,160
2024$13,602$13,492
2025$14,496$15,058
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Admission & SAT Scores

On average, 80.0% of applicants are admitted to Montana colleges.
The admission rate ranges from 50.3% to 99.8% across colleges in Montana.
The average SAT score at Montana colleges is 1,133. SAT scores range from 1,035 to 1,170 across colleges in Montana.

Financial Aid

On average, 66.00% students have received grants and/or scholarships at Montana colleges. The average amount of aid received is $7,653
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Enrollment

A total of 48,686 students is attending Montana colleges - 42,721 undergraduate and 5,949 graduate students.
Of them, 7,225 students enrolled in online programs exclusively.
Total Number of Students
48,686
Undergraduate
42,721
Graduate
5,949
Online Students
7,225
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Faculty & Staff

A total of 3,408 faculties (instructional staffs) are working for colleges in Montana and the average faculty salary is $60,415.
There are 9,669 non-instructional staffs and its average salary is $56,220.
Number of Faculties
3,408
Average Faculty Salary
$60,415
Number of Staffs
9,669
Average Staff Salary
$56,220
Faculty/Staff Salary

Best Montana colleges

Montana State University is ranked #1 in the Montana college rankings, followed by The University of Montana in second place.
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Highest Tuition & Fees

Carroll College is the most expensive college in Montana with a tuition & fees of $41,484 and Rocky Mountain College has the second-highest tuition & fees of $35,582.
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Highest Graduate Tuition

For graduate programs, Rocky Mountain College requires the most expensive tuition & fees of $38,974 and The University of Montana has the second-highest graduate tuition & fees of $37,595.
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Highest SAT Scores

Montana State University has the highest SAT scores of 1,170 submitted by enrolled students and Montana Technological University has the second-highest SAT score of 1,165.
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Largest Montana colleges

Montana State University is the largest college with 17,135 students and The University of Montana has the second-most students of 10,811.
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Largest Online colleges

The University of Montana has the most online students of 2,398 students and Montana State University Billings has the second-most online students of 958.
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