Helena College University of Montana vs Fort Peck Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Helena College University of Montana comes closer — median earnings $40,738 against a $23,186 total, vs $14,747 at Fort Peck Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Helena College University of Montana | Fort Peck Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,593 | $400 |
| Total net cost | $23,186 | $800 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,738 | $14,747 |
| Median debt | $14,580 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$175,626 | -$673,060 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Helena College University of Montana or Fort Peck Community College?
Fort Peck Community College, at $400 a year after aid versus $11,593 — a gap of $11,193 a year, or $22,386 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Helena College University of Montana or Fort Peck Community College graduates earn more?
Helena College University of Montana graduates report a median $40,738 ten years after entry, $25,991 more than the $14,747 at Fort Peck 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 graduates more of its students?
33% of students finish at Helena College University of Montana, against 17% at Fort Peck Community College. 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.