Montana State University vs Highlands College of Montana Tech: which has better ROI?
Highlands College of Montana Tech has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $59,848 in 10 years versus 18.4 years at Montana State University, on median earnings of $54,329 vs $53,263 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Montana State University | Highlands College of Montana Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,499 | $14,962 |
| Total net cost | $89,996 | $59,848 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,263 | $54,329 |
| Median debt | $22,500 | $18,750 |
| Payback | 18.4 yrs | 10 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $8,064 | $59,532 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Montana State University or Highlands College of Montana Tech?
Highlands College of Montana Tech, at $14,962 a year after aid versus $22,499 — a gap of $7,537 a year, or $30,148 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 or Highlands College of Montana Tech graduates earn more?
Highlands College of Montana Tech graduates report a median $54,329 ten years after entry, $1,066 more than the $53,263 at Montana State University. 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, Montana State University or Highlands College of Montana Tech?
Highlands College of Montana Tech: its completers carry a median $18,750 in federal loans versus $22,500 at Montana State University, a difference of $3,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
57% of students finish at Montana State University, 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.