Head-to-head · 2026
Flathead Valley Community College vs Montana State University Billings
Compare average net price ($8,099 at Flathead Valley Community College; $16,524 at Montana State University Billings), ROI score (11.89 vs 6.70), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($38,520 vs $44,296), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Flathead Valley Community College; Open / not reported at Montana State University Billings) 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 | Montana State University Billings |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.89 ✓ | 6.70 |
| Avg net price | $8,099 ✓ | $16,524 |
| 4-year avg net price | $32,396 ✓ | $66,096 |
| In-state tuition | $4,912 | $7,280 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $11,659 | $22,897 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $38,520 | $44,296 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 29.3% | 30% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 63.2% ✓ | 55.6% |
| Median debt | $10,500 ✓ | $18,209 |
| Enrollment | 1,202 | 2,626 |
| 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 | Montana State University Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,341 ✓ | $13,927 |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,484 ✓ | $14,387 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,903 ✓ | $16,749 |
| Family income $75–110k | $11,293 ✓ | $18,948 |
| Family income $110k+ | $12,552 ✓ | $20,035 |
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 | Montana State University Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 45.9% | 7.5% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 6.5% | 7.3% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 6.5% | 3.9% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 1.7% | 6.9% |
| Precision Metal Working | 5.1% | 1.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 0.3% | 3.8% |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 1.7% | 2.1% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 1% | 1.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Flathead Valley Community College reports the lower average net price by $8,425 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $33,700 difference over four years ($32,396 vs $66,096).
Montana State University Billings reports $5,776 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($44,296 vs $38,520). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 63.2% at Flathead Valley Community College and 55.6% at Montana State University Billings. Median federal debt among completers is $10,500 vs $18,209, respectively.
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 Montana State University Billings, 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 $16,524 at Montana State University Billings. The annual difference of $8,425 adds up to about $33,700 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Montana State University Billings reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $44,296 vs $38,520 at Flathead Valley Community College. The gap in the federal data is $5,776. 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.