Degree Dividend
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Montana State University Billings vs Little Big Horn College: which has better ROI?

Public, Billings MT · vs · Public, Crow Agency MT

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Montana State University Billings comes closer — median earnings $44,296 against a $66,096 total, vs $21,152 at Little Big Horn College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMontana State University BillingsLittle Big Horn College
Net price / yr$16,524$8,331
Total net cost$66,096$16,662
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,296$21,152
Median debt$18,209
Payback
20-year net return-$147,376-$560,822

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Montana State University Billings or Little Big Horn College?

Little Big Horn College, at $8,331 a year after aid versus $16,524 — a gap of $8,193 a year, or $49,434 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Montana State University Billings or Little Big Horn College graduates earn more?

Montana State University Billings graduates report a median $44,296 ten years after entry, $23,144 more than the $21,152 at Little Big Horn 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?

30% of students finish at Montana State University Billings, against 11% at Little Big Horn 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.

Montana State University Billings vs Little Big Horn College: frequently asked questions

Is Montana State University Billings or Little Big Horn College a better value?
Montana State University Billings comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Montana State University Billings or Little Big Horn College?
Little Big Horn College: $8,331/yr net price after aid versus $16,524/yr at Montana State University Billings — a difference of $8,193 a year, or about $49,434 over four years.
Do Montana State University Billings or Little Big Horn College graduates earn more?
Montana State University Billings graduates earn a median $44,296 ten years after entry, versus $21,152 at Little Big Horn College — a $23,144 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.