Flathead Valley Community College vs University of Providence: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Providence comes closer — median earnings $48,296 against a $70,596 total, vs $38,520 at Flathead Valley Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Flathead Valley Community College | University of Providence |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,099 | $17,649 |
| Total net cost | $16,198 | $70,596 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,520 | $48,296 |
| Median debt | $10,500 | $18,750 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$212,998 | -$71,876 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Flathead Valley Community College or University of Providence?
Flathead Valley Community College, at $8,099 a year after aid versus $17,649 — a gap of $9,550 a year, or $54,398 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Flathead Valley Community College or University of Providence graduates earn more?
University of Providence graduates report a median $48,296 ten years after entry, $9,776 more than the $38,520 at Flathead Valley Community College. 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, Flathead Valley Community College or University of Providence?
Flathead Valley Community College: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $18,750 at University of Providence, a difference of $8,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
29% of students finish at Flathead Valley Community College, against 28% at University of Providence. 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.