Head-to-head · 2026
Flathead Valley Community College vs Great Falls College Montana State University
Compare average net price ($8,099 at Flathead Valley Community College; $12,468 at Great Falls College Montana State University), ROI score (11.89 vs 7.63), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($38,520 vs $38,034), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Flathead Valley Community College; Open / not reported at Great Falls College Montana State University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Flathead Valley Community College | Great Falls College Montana State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.89 ✓ | 7.63 |
| Avg net price | $8,099 ✓ | $12,468 |
| 4-year avg net price | $32,396 ✓ | $49,872 |
| In-state tuition | $4,912 | $4,028 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $11,659 | $12,911 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $38,520 ✓ | $38,034 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 29.3% | 34.1% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 63.2% ✓ | 55.7% |
| Median debt | $10,500 | — |
| Enrollment | 1,202 | 894 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Flathead Valley Community College | Great Falls College Montana State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,341 ✓ | $10,675 |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,484 ✓ | $10,624 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,903 ✓ | $11,778 |
| Family income $75–110k | $11,293 ✓ | $16,535 |
| Family income $110k+ | $12,552 ✓ | $16,664 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Flathead Valley Community College | Great Falls College Montana State University |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 45.9% | 28.1% |
| Precision Metal Working | 5.1% | 20% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 6.5% | 9.1% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 6.5% | 8.8% |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | 4.1% | 5.3% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 1.7% | 6.7% |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 1.7% | 5.3% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.7% | 3.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Flathead Valley Community College reports the lower average net price by $4,369 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $17,476 difference over four years ($32,396 vs $49,872).
Flathead Valley Community College reports $486 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($38,520 vs $38,034). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 63.2% at Flathead Valley Community College and 55.7% at Great Falls College Montana State University. Debt data is incomplete for at least one school, so it is not used as a deciding signal here.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Flathead Valley Community College vs Great Falls College Montana State University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Flathead Valley Community College is cheaper — average net price $8,099 per year vs $12,468 at Great Falls College Montana State University. The annual difference of $4,369 adds up to about $17,476 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Flathead Valley Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $38,520 vs $38,034 at Great Falls College Montana State University. The gap in the federal data is $486. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.