Montana State University vs Rocky Mountain College: which has better ROI?
Montana State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,996 in 18.4 years versus 116.9 years at Rocky Mountain College, on median earnings of $53,263 vs $49,036 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Montana State University | Rocky Mountain College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,499 | $19,751 |
| Total net cost | $89,996 | $79,004 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,263 | $49,036 |
| Median debt | $22,500 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 18.4 yrs | 116.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $8,064 | -$65,484 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Montana State University or Rocky Mountain College?
Rocky Mountain College, at $19,751 a year after aid versus $22,499 — a gap of $2,748 a year, or $10,992 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Montana State University or Rocky Mountain College graduates earn more?
Montana State University graduates report a median $53,263 ten years after entry, $4,227 more than the $49,036 at Rocky Mountain 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, Montana State University or Rocky Mountain College?
Montana State University: its completers carry a median $22,500 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Rocky Mountain College, a difference of $3,500. 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 48% at Rocky Mountain 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.