2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in Montana
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in Montana? Our ranking highlights 29 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Grad Degree analyzed 7 schools to produce 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 Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Montana
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Graduate Degrees degree schools in Montana. This public school is set in Butte, MT. In-state tuition and fees average $8,289, while out-of-state students pay about $26,094. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $23,962. Median earnings reach $54,329 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,962 median debt. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana has an acceptance rate of 91%. Read the full report on Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana
A rank of #2 makes Montana State University one of the best values in Montana. Located in Bozeman, MT, Montana State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $23,635. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,263 ten years after entry. Set against $23,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montana State University has an acceptance rate of 82%. Read more about Montana State University
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Montana one of the best values in Montana. This public school is set in Missoula, MT. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $24,342. The University Of Montana alumni report median earnings of $44,511 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,342 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on The University Of Montana
Out of the 7 schools in Montana in this year's value ranking, Montana State University Billings landed the #4 spot. Set in Billings, MT, Montana State University Billings is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,280, with out-of-state students paying around $22,897. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,465. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,296. That is a strong return on a $25,465 median debt. Get the full Montana State University Billings report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montana State University Northern earned it the #5 place in Montana. This public school is set in Havre, MT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,982, with out-of-state students paying around $21,875. Students borrow a median of $23,855 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Median earnings reach $49,505 ten years out. Set against $23,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Montana State University Northern
University Of Great Falls came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Set 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. Get the full University Of Great Falls report
Rocky Mountain College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Billings, MT, Rocky Mountain College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,582 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,666. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,036. That is a strong return on a $25,666 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted. More on Rocky Mountain College
Little Big Horn College landed the #8 spot for value in Montana this year. See the full Little Big Horn College profile
Montana Academy Of Salons offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Get the full Montana Academy Of Salons report
Carroll College
Carroll College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Carroll College
Creviers Academy Of Cosmetology Arts offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Get the full Creviers Academy Of Cosmetology Arts report
Aaniiih Nakoda College placed #12 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Montana. See the full Aaniiih Nakoda College profile
Salish Kootenai College offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Read more about Salish Kootenai College
Great Falls College Montana State University came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. More on Great Falls College Montana State University
Montana Bible College came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. See the full Montana Bible College profile
Highlands College Of Montana Tech came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Highlands College Of Montana Tech
Flathead Valley Community College came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. See the full Flathead Valley Community College profile
Aveda Institute Montana came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. More on Aveda Institute Montana
Chief Dull Knife College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Get the full Chief Dull Knife College report
Miles Community College came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Miles Community College
Blackfeet Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Blackfeet Community College report
Stone Child College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. See the full Stone Child College profile
Academy Of Cosmetology Bozeman came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Academy Of Cosmetology Bozeman
The University Of Montana Western offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Get the full The University Of Montana Western report
Helena College University Of Montana landed the #25 spot for value in Montana this year. Read more about Helena College University Of Montana
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Montana
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Butte Academy Of Beauty Culture landed the #26 spot for value in Montana this year. Get the full Butte Academy Of Beauty Culture report
Dawson Community College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Dawson Community College
Fort Peck Community College landed the #28 spot for value in Montana this year. Get the full Fort Peck Community College report
Pima Medical Institute Dillon came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. See the full Pima Medical Institute Dillon profile
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Grad Degree (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 · 7 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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