Carroll College vs Highlands College of Montana Tech: which has better ROI?
Carroll College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $95,840 in 7.1 years versus 10 years at Highlands College of Montana Tech, on median earnings of $61,772 vs $54,329 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Carroll College | Highlands College of Montana Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,960 | $14,962 |
| Total net cost | $95,840 | $59,848 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $61,772 | $54,329 |
| Median debt | $25,757 | $18,750 |
| Payback | 7.1 yrs | 10 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $172,400 | $59,532 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Carroll College or Highlands College of Montana Tech?
Highlands College of Montana Tech, at $14,962 a year after aid versus $23,960 — a gap of $8,998 a year, or $35,992 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Carroll College or Highlands College of Montana Tech graduates earn more?
Carroll College graduates report a median $61,772 ten years after entry, $7,443 more than the $54,329 at Highlands College of Montana Tech. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Carroll College or Highlands College of Montana Tech?
Highlands College of Montana Tech: its completers carry a median $18,750 in federal loans versus $25,757 at Carroll College, a difference of $7,007. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
69% of students finish at Carroll College, against 45% at Highlands College of Montana Tech. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.