Highlands College of Montana Tech Tuition & Outcomes (2026)
Highlands College of Montana Tech is a public certificate and vocational school in Butte, Montana, enrolling about 342 students. Programs focus on certificates and workforce credentials that prepare students for skilled trades and technical careers. Typical net price after grant aid is about $14,962 for students who receive it, compared with published tuition near $4,130. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $54,329 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $4,130
- 2024 Average Net Price: $14,962 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: N/A Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 342 81.0% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 44.66%
- Opportunity College (2025): Higher access & higher earnings (Carnegie OCU)
- Carnegie Classification: Associate's Colleges: High Vocational & Technical-High Nontraditional
- First-Generation Students: 33.7%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 8.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 16.3% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 75.6%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,072
- Room & Board: $12,120 annual estimate
Highlands College of Montana Tech: what the data shows
Common questions about Highlands College of Montana Tech, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Highlands College of Montana Tech?
Highlands College of Montana Tech is located in Butte, MT (ZIP 59701).
NCES locale classification: Town remote.
Compared with Town campuses nationally, net price is at the median for Town campuses ($14,971 median).
Is Highlands College of Montana Tech public or private?
Highlands College of Montana Tech is a Public institution.
How much does Highlands College of Montana Tech cost?
Published tuition: $4,130 in-state, $10,950 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $14,962.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $11,650 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $13,183 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $15,314 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $17,091 |
| $110,001+ | $17,792 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $16,520.
How big is Highlands College of Montana Tech?
Total enrollment: 342 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,072 students.
About 81% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Highlands College of Montana Tech?
150%-time completion rate: 44.66%.
First-year retention: 55.1%.
What do graduates of Highlands College of Montana Tech earn?
Median earnings: $48,356 six years after entry; $54,329 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $18,750.
13.45% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Highlands College of Montana Tech known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Lineworker (60 completions)
- Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer (19 completions)
- Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide (19 completions)
- Carpentry/Carpenter (14 completions)
- Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians (7 completions)
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (6 completions)
- Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician (5 completions)
- Machine Tool Technology/Machinist (5 completions)
- Welding Technology/Welder (4 completions)
- Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor (4 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Highlands College of Montana Tech a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show completion rate 44.66%; median earnings $54,329 at 10 years; net price $14,962. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$4,130
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Highlands College of Montana Tech was $4,130.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$14,962
2024 Value
In 2024 Highlands College of Montana Tech had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $14,962.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$59,848 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$14,962 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$16,520 4-Year In-State Tuition
$43,800 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$12,120 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,240 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$17,490 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$69,960 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Highlands College of Montana Tech.
Financial Aid by Income Level
13.45% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
20.89% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Highlands College of Montana Tech 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 Highlands College of Montana Tech 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 | $3,226 | $8,193 | $9,648 |
| 2014 | $3,236 | $8,204 | $9,177 |
| 2015 | $3,263 | $8,380 | $8,881 |
| 2016 | $3,325 | $8,595 | $9,828 |
| 2017 | $3,351 | $8,974 | $9,156 |
| 2018 | $3,569 | $9,371 | $9,878 |
| 2019 | $3,580 | $9,380 | $10,284 |
| 2020 | $3,590 | $9,390 | $13,042 |
| 2021 | $3,590 | $9,390 | $12,079 |
| 2022 | $3,670 | $9,640 | $14,563 |
| 2023 | $3,980 | $10,370 | $12,184 |
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.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Highlands College of Montana Tech reported total enrollment of about 342 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 59% male and 41% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (75.1%), Two or More Races (7.9%), and Race/ethnicity unknown (7.9%). About 13.45% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 33.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
81.0% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Highlands College of Montana Tech in 2024 is 342 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,072 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
55.1%
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
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 75.1%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
37.86% 100% Completion Time
44.66% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 37.86% of students graduating from Highlands College of Montana Tech completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Lineworker: 100% male / 0% female
- Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer: 11% male / 89% female
- Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide: 11% male / 89% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Highlands College of Montana Tech.
Return on Investment
$18,750 Median Student Debt
$54,329 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
34.51% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
807.78% Return on Investment
3.5 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Highlands College of Montana Tech.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 14 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Lineworker: 60 completions
2. Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer: 19 completions
3. Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide: 19 completions
4. Carpentry/Carpenter: 14 completions
5. Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians: 7 completions
6. Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other: 6 completions
7. Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician: 5 completions
8. Machine Tool Technology/Machinist: 5 completions
9. Welding Technology/Welder: 4 completions
Most popular programs at Highlands College of Montana Tech.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Highlands College of Montana Tech graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Highlands College of Montana Tech from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 75.6%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $9,373
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $7,873
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Highlands College of Montana Tech is a public institution located in Butte, MT, classified as Associate's Colleges: High Vocational & Technical-High Nontraditional. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Lineworker, Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer, Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide. Enrollment is approximately 342 students. Student body composition includes White (75.1%), Two or More Races (7.9%), Race/ethnicity unknown (7.9%). The 150%-time completion rate is 44.66%. Approximately 13.45% of students receive Pell Grants. About 33.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Associate's Colleges: High Vocational & Technical-High Nontraditional
Opportunity College (2025): Higher access and higher earnings under Carnegie’s Student Access and Earnings Classification. Browse all Opportunity Colleges.
Location
Butte, MT 59701
Region: Rocky Mountains
Insights and Analysis
Highlands College of Montana Tech provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Highlands College of Montana Tech located?
Highlands College of Montana Tech is located in Butte, MT.
How much does Highlands College of Montana Tech cost?
Reported tuition is $4,130 and average net price is $14,962 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,120 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Highlands College of Montana Tech?
Highlands College of Montana Tech reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,072 students, White (75.1%), Two or More Races (7.9%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Highlands College of Montana Tech?
About 33.7% of students at Highlands College of Montana Tech are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Highlands College of Montana Tech earn?
Median earnings are $48,356 six years after entry and $54,329 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Highlands College of Montana Tech?
The 150%-time completion rate is 44.7% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Highlands College of Montana Tech students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $18,750.
Is Highlands College of Montana Tech public or private?
Highlands College of Montana Tech is a public institution located in Butte, MT.
Is Highlands College of Montana Tech an HBCU?
No. Highlands College of Montana Tech is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Highlands College of Montana Tech a tribal college?
No. Highlands College of Montana Tech is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is Highlands College of Montana Tech a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
Using a 25% Hispanic enrollment threshold on College Scorecard demographics, Highlands College of Montana Tech does not meet that proxy (reported share 3.5%).
Is Highlands College of Montana Tech religiously affiliated?
No religious affiliation is reported for Highlands College of Montana Tech in IPEDS institutional characteristics.
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
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 for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.