The University of Montana-Western vs Great Falls College Montana State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but The University of Montana-Western comes closer — median earnings $43,229 against a $66,232 total, vs $38,034 at Great Falls College Montana State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | The University of Montana-Western | Great Falls College Montana State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,558 | $12,468 |
| Total net cost | $66,232 | $24,936 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $43,229 | $38,034 |
| Median debt | $21,000 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$168,852 | -$231,456 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, The University of Montana-Western or Great Falls College Montana State University?
Great Falls College Montana State University, at $12,468 a year after aid versus $16,558 — a gap of $4,090 a year, or $41,296 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do The University of Montana-Western or Great Falls College Montana State University graduates earn more?
The University of Montana-Western graduates report a median $43,229 ten years after entry, $5,195 more than the $38,034 at Great Falls College 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 graduates more of its students?
51% of students finish at The University of Montana-Western, against 34% at Great Falls College Montana State University. 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.