Find Trade Colleges
2026 Best Value Trade Schools in Montana
Looking for the best-value Trade degree programs in Montana? We have ranked 29 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Trade College analyzed 10 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Montana
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Highlands College Of Montana Tech this year in Montana. Highlands College Of Montana Tech is a public school based in Butte, MT. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,127, while out-of-state students pay about $10,948. The median Trade program debt is $2,750. Median earnings reach $54,329 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $2,750 median debt. See the full Highlands College Of Montana Tech profile
You'll get strong value at Montana State University Northern, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Havre, MT, Montana State University Northern is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,982, while out-of-state students pay about $21,875. Graduates carry a median of $23,855 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,505 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Montana State University Northern
A rank of #3 makes Helena College University Of Montana one of the best values in Montana. Helena College University Of Montana is a public school based in Helena, MT. In-state tuition and fees average $4,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,278. Helena College University Of Montana Trade students take on a median of $19,906 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,738 ten years after entry. Set against $19,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Helena College University Of Montana
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montana State University Billings earned it the #4 place in Montana. Montana State University Billings is a public school based in Billings, MT. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,280, compared with $22,897 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $25,465. Median earnings reach $44,296 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Montana State University Billings profile
You'll get strong value at Montana State University, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Bozeman, MT, Montana State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. The median Trade program debt is $23,635. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,263 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,635 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted. More on Montana State University
Miles Community College landed the #6 spot for value in Montana this year. Set in Miles City, MT, Miles Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,500, with out-of-state students paying around $11,220. Students borrow a median of $20,574 to complete their Trade program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,862 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,574 median debt. Read more about Miles Community College
The University Of Montana placed #7 among the best-value Trade schools in Montana. The University Of Montana is a public school based in Missoula, MT. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. The University Of Montana Trade students take on a median of $24,342 in debt. Median earnings reach $44,511 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,342 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%. Read more about The University Of Montana
Flathead Valley Community College placed #8 among the best-value Trade schools in Montana. Located in Kalispell, MT, Flathead Valley Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,912, with out-of-state students paying around $11,659. Students borrow a median of $16,094 to complete their Trade program here. Median earnings reach $38,520 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,094 median debt. Read more about Flathead Valley Community College
University Of Great Falls ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. University Of Great Falls is a private not-for-profit school based in Great Falls, MT. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,448. University Of Great Falls Trade students take on a median of $23,847 in debt. University Of Great Falls alumni report median earnings of $48,296 a decade after entry. Set against $23,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Great Falls admits about 50% of applicants. Get the full University Of Great Falls report
Rocky Mountain College landed the #10 spot for value in Montana this year. Located in Billings, MT, Rocky Mountain College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,582 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,666 to complete their Trade program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,036. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rocky Mountain College admits about 70% of applicants. More on Rocky Mountain College
Academy Of Cosmetology Bozeman came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Academy Of Cosmetology Bozeman
Salish Kootenai College came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Salish Kootenai College report
Fort Peck Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Get the full Fort Peck Community College report
Montana Bible College landed the #14 spot for value in Montana this year. See the full Montana Bible College profile
Butte Academy Of Beauty Culture placed #15 among the best-value Trade schools in Montana. Read more about Butte Academy Of Beauty Culture
Little Big Horn College came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. More on Little Big Horn College
Chief Dull Knife College landed the #17 spot for value in Montana this year. Get the full Chief Dull Knife College report
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. More on Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana
Stone Child College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read the full report on Stone Child College
Dawson Community College placed #20 among the best-value Trade schools in Montana. More on Dawson Community College
Carroll College
Carroll College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read the full report on Carroll College
Creviers Academy Of Cosmetology Arts placed #22 among the best-value Trade schools in Montana. More on Creviers Academy Of Cosmetology Arts
Aveda Institute Montana landed the #23 spot for value in Montana this year. Read the full report on Aveda Institute Montana
Blackfeet Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. See the full Blackfeet Community College profile
Aaniiih Nakoda College landed the #25 spot for value in Montana this year. Get the full Aaniiih Nakoda College report
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Montana
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Montana Academy Of Salons placed #26 among the best-value Trade schools in Montana. Get the full Montana Academy Of Salons report
The University Of Montana Western ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read more about The University Of Montana Western
Pima Medical Institute Dillon placed #28 among the best-value Trade schools in Montana. Read the full report on Pima Medical Institute Dillon
Great Falls College Montana State University came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Great Falls College Montana State University
More Trade Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 10 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.