Montana Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Montana College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Montana institutions.
Top Montana Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana State University (Bozeman) | Public 4-yr | $7,900 | $30,240 | 16,300 |
| University of Montana | Public 4-yr | $8,240 | $30,590 | 9,700 |
| Montana Tech | Public 4-yr | $7,950 | $30,290 | 1,800 |
| Montana State Billings | Public 4-yr | $7,300 | $23,220 | 3,900 |
| MSU Northern | Public 4-yr | $7,180 | $23,100 | 1,300 |
| Western Montana | Public 4-yr | $7,470 | $23,390 | 1,400 |
| Carroll College | Private | $41,960 | $41,960 | 1,200 |
| Flathead Valley CC | Community | $4,000 | $10,200 | 2,300 |
Montana State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Montana University System Office of Commissioner of Higher Education.
Montana University System Honors Scholarship
Four-year scholarship for top-performing MT high school grads at MUS institutions.
Montana STEM and Healthcare Scholarship
Merit-based scholarship for top-tier MT high school grads attending MUS institutions.
Student Loan Options for Montana Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Montana have a state student loan program?
No. Montana does not run a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do — including MEFA (Massachusetts), RISLA (Rhode Island), Minnesota SELF, the Bank of North Dakota DEAL Student Loan, VSAC (Vermont), CHESLA (Connecticut), NJCLASS (New Jersey), ISL Education Lending (Iowa), NHHEAF/Granite State (New Hampshire), FAME (Maine), and Kentucky's Advantage Education Loan. These programs often price below major private banks. Montana residents should lean on federal loans first, then compare private lenders directly.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Montana state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions for Montana students and families.
How much does college cost in Montana?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Montana public four-year universities is about $8,200 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $22,800 on campus for Montana residents and $34,500 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Montana?
Montana borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $33,600. Total outstanding federal student debt for Montana residents is approximately $4.5 billion.
Does Montana offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. Montana administers the MUS Honors scholarship and Montana STEM and Healthcare Scholarship.
Does Montana have a state student loan program?
No. Montana does not operate a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do, including Massachusetts (MEFA), Rhode Island (RISLA), Minnesota (SELF), North Dakota (DEAL), and Kentucky (Advantage Education Loan). Montana residents should start with federal student loans through the FAFSA and compare private lenders for any remaining gap financing.
Which Montana colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
MT community colleges average $4,000 per year. MSU Northern is the lowest four-year public at $7,180, followed by MSU Billings and Western Montana. U of Montana is highest at $8,240.
What scholarships are available for Montana residents?
Key awards include the MUS Honors Scholarship, Best & Brightest, MTAP Baker Grant, AIMA, and Teacher Loan Forgiveness. Carroll College offers institutional aid.
Related Montana Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Montana public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- MT University System program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Claire Tak