2026 Best Value Business Schools in Montana
Looking for the best-value Business degree programs in Montana? This list ranks 29 schools 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, Business Degree Central analyzed 8 schools to compile 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 Business Degree Schools in Montana
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Montana State University Billings earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Montana. 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. Montana State University Billings Business students take on a median of $25,465 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,296. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Montana State University Billings profile
Montana State University came in at #2 on this year's best-value Business ranking in Montana. Located in Bozeman, MT, Montana State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Graduates carry a median of $23,635 in student loans. Median earnings reach $53,263 ten years out. Set against $23,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants. More on Montana State University
The University Of Montana Western came in at #3 on this year's best-value Business ranking in Montana. Based in Dillon, MT, The University Of Montana Western is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,669, compared with $20,130 for out-of-state students. The University Of Montana Western Business students take on a median of $22,484 in debt. Median earnings reach $43,229 ten years out. Set against $22,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted. See the full The University Of Montana Western profile
You'll get strong value at The University Of Montana, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Missoula, MT, The University Of Montana is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. The University Of Montana Business students take on a median of $24,342 in debt. The University Of Montana alumni report median earnings of $44,511 a decade after entry. Set against $24,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on The University Of Montana
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montana State University Northern earned it the #5 place in Montana. Montana State University Northern is a public school based in Havre, MT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,982, compared with $21,875 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,855 to complete their Business program here. Median earnings reach $49,505 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,855 median debt. Read more about Montana State University Northern
Carroll College placed #6 among the best-value Business schools in Montana. Located in Helena, MT, Carroll College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,484. Graduates carry a median of $24,912 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,772 ten years after entry. Set against $24,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Carroll College
University Of Great Falls offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. 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. University Of Great Falls alumni report median earnings of $48,296 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,847 median debt. About 50% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Great Falls profile
Rocky Mountain College offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Billings, MT, Rocky Mountain College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,582. Students borrow a median of $25,666 to complete their Business program here. Median earnings reach $49,036 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,666 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%. See the full Rocky Mountain College profile
Great Falls College Montana State University placed #9 among the best-value Business schools in Montana. More on Great Falls College Montana State University
Aaniiih Nakoda College placed #10 among the best-value Business schools in Montana. See the full Aaniiih Nakoda College profile
Salish Kootenai College offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Get the full Salish Kootenai College report
Blackfeet Community College landed the #12 spot for value in Montana this year. Read the full report on Blackfeet Community College
Creviers Academy Of Cosmetology Arts ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Business schools. Read more about Creviers Academy Of Cosmetology Arts
Chief Dull Knife College landed the #14 spot for value in Montana this year. Read more about Chief Dull Knife College
Butte Academy Of Beauty Culture came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. See the full Butte Academy Of Beauty Culture profile
Academy Of Cosmetology Bozeman placed #16 among the best-value Business schools in Montana. Read the full report on Academy Of Cosmetology Bozeman
Flathead Valley Community College came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. More on Flathead Valley Community College
Dawson Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Business schools. More on Dawson Community College
Fort Peck Community College landed the #19 spot for value in Montana this year. More on Fort Peck Community College
Highlands College Of Montana Tech came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. More on Highlands College Of Montana Tech
Aveda Institute Montana ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Business schools. Read more about Aveda Institute Montana
Stone Child College landed the #22 spot for value in Montana this year. More on Stone Child College
Miles Community College placed #23 among the best-value Business schools in Montana. Get the full Miles Community College report
Little Big Horn College landed the #24 spot for value in Montana this year. See the full Little Big Horn College profile
Helena College University Of Montana came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. See the full Helena College University Of Montana profile
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Business Degree Schools in Montana
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Montana Academy Of Salons came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Montana Academy Of Salons
Pima Medical Institute Dillon came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Pima Medical Institute Dillon
Montana Bible College offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Read more about Montana Bible College
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana
More Business Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Business Degree Central (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 · 8 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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