Montana State University Billings
Billings, MT 59101-0298
About Montana State University Billings
Montana State University Billings is a public research university in Billings, Montana, serving roughly 2,626 students. Montana State University Billings awards degrees and certificates tracked in federal College Scorecard and IPEDS reporting. Published tuition for full-time study is about $7,689 per year before aid; net price varies by family income. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $48,199 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- Montana State University Billings charges 35% above the national public median tuition ($7,689).
- Versus the Montana median, sticker tuition is 48% above.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 31.10%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $48,199.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at Montana State University Billings is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 671% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Finding
Montana State University Billings awards credentials across a wide program mix.
IPEDS completions cover more than 61 distinct degree programs at this campus.
Interpretation: Institutional averages blend very different fields; program-level completions and earnings matter more than the campus mean alone.
Limitation: Completions counts are not enrollment demand and do not measure program quality.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana State University Billings | $7,689 | $15,630 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,700 | — | 1,692 |
| Montana (state median) | $5,180 | $10,826 | 23 |
| Suburban (locale median) | $13,274 | $18,692 | 686 |
| United States (national median) | $12,200 | $17,569 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is Montana State University Billings really?
Key findings
- Montana State University Billings charges 35% above the national public median tuition ($7,689).
- Versus the Montana median, sticker tuition is 48% above.
Montana State University Billings tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $7,689
Finding Montana State University Billings charges 35% above the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $7,689. That is 35% above the national public median ($5,700). Versus the Montana median ($5,180), sticker tuition is 48% above. Versus the U.S. median ($12,200), sticker is 37% below.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at Montana State University Billings versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at Montana State University Billings versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at Montana State University Billings is $15,630.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $15,630 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $4,804 above the Montana median net price. Versus suburban campuses, net price runs $3,062 below the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At Montana State University Billings, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
Montana State University Billings: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for Montana State University Billings—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$7,689
Out-of-state tuition
$23,311
Avg. net price
$15,630
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $12,965 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $12,833 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $14,403 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $17,310 |
| $110,001+ | $19,125 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $30,756. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What Montana State University Billings is known for
Top program completions
- Business/Commerce, General125
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse55
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other40
- Elementary Education and Teaching31
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies31
See earnings & programs for more.
Is Montana State University Billings a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
Montana State University Billings is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for Montana State University Billings.
Campus
Location
Billings, MT
City / state
- ZIP
- 59101-0298
- NCES locale
- Suburb
Compared with Suburban campuses nationally, net price is 16% below the median for Suburban campuses ($18,692 median).
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Rocky Mountains
- Carnegie
- Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Size
Enrollment
2,626
Undergraduates (fall)
- Undergraduates (full year)
- 5,069
- Graduate
- 248
- Full-time share
- 69%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$17,750
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 28.09%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for Montana State University Billings.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Montana State University Billings was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Montana State University Billings in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $5,745 | $17,088 | $13,126 |
| 2014 | $5,780 | $17,466 | $13,054 |
| 2015 | $5,808 | $17,842 | $12,967 |
| 2016 | $5,826 | $18,216 | $13,827 |
| 2017 | $5,833 | $18,723 | $14,340 |
| 2018 | $5,928 | $19,246 | $14,005 |
| 2019 | $5,933 | $19,257 | $13,844 |
| 2020 | $5,980 | $19,310 | $14,036 |
| 2021 | $6,022 | $19,352 | $14,676 |
| 2022 | $6,198 | $19,924 | $14,484 |
| 2023 | $6,706 | $21,347 | $15,044 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Admissions funnel data is not available for this institution.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Score distribution is not available for this institution.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Montana State University Billings reported total enrollment of about 2,626 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 35% male and 65% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (75.1%), Hispanic or Latino (8.0%), and Two or More Races (6.4%). About 28.09% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 38.5% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
69.3% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Montana State University Billings in 2024 is 2,626 students.
Over a full year, about 5,069 undergraduates enroll. Graduate enrollment is about 248 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
55.6%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
13.76% 100% Completion Time
31.10% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 13.76% of students graduating from Montana State University Billings completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business/Commerce, General: 50% male / 50% female
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 9% male / 91% female
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other: 20% male / 80% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
Montana State University Billings graduates earn a median of $48,199 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of Montana State University Billings.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $48,199. Median federal loan debt: $17,750. Average net price used in cost models: $15,630.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway Montana State University Billings graduates report median earnings of $48,199 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for Montana State University Billings.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (61 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at Montana State University Billings.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for Montana State University Billings graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for Montana State University Billings—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$32.6M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- Montana median 4.3× the median ($7.6M)
- Rocky Mountains median 1.7× the median ($19.5M)
- U.S. median 1.2× the median ($26.4M)
- Montana median 0.81× the median ($13,979)
- Rocky Mountains median 1.1× the median ($10,274)
- U.S. median 0.93× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 63.1%
- Montana median 6.5 pp below median (69.6%)
- Rocky Mountains median 10.2 pp below median (73.3%)
- U.S. median 5.1 pp above median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $7,728
- Montana median 1.2× the median ($6,543)
- Rocky Mountains median near the median ($7,458)
- U.S. median near the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $8,173
- Montana median 0.85× the median ($9,613)
- Rocky Mountains median 1.2× the median ($6,852)
- U.S. median 1.1× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Montana State University Billings at a glance
Montana State University Billings
Montana State University Billings is a public institution in Billings, MT, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Business/Commerce, GeneralRegistered Nursing/Registered NurseRehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian75.1%Hispanic or Latino8.0%Two or More Races6.4%
Schools near Montana State University Billings
Other campuses in Billings, MT when available, plus nearby institutions in Montana.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade D) within Montana, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Montana State University Billings located?
Montana State University Billings is located in Billings, MT.
What is Montana State University Billings's tuition?
Montana State University Billings tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $7,689 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $15,630 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does Montana State University Billings cost?
Reported tuition is $7,689 and average net price is $15,630 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $9,920 annually.
What explains Montana State University Billings's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($15,630), completion (31.1% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($48,199). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at Montana State University Billings?
Montana State University Billings reports undergraduate enrollment of about 5,069 students, White (75.1%), Hispanic or Latino (8.0%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Montana State University Billings?
About 38.5% of students at Montana State University Billings are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Montana State University Billings earn?
Median earnings are $45,858 six years after entry and $48,199 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Montana State University Billings?
The 150%-time completion rate is 31.1% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Montana State University Billings students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $17,750.
Is Montana State University Billings public or private?
Montana State University Billings is a public institution located in Billings, MT.
Is Montana State University Billings an HBCU?
No. Montana State University Billings is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Montana State University Billings a tribal college?
No. Montana State University Billings is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Montana college profile
- Montana college costs
- Montana colleges by ROI
- Montana State University vs The University of Montana vs Montana State University Billings
- Billings, Montana city profile
- Rocky Mountains regional profile
- Suburban college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Montana
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.