Head-to-head · 2026
Fort Peck Community College vs Helena College University of Montana
Compare average net price ($400 at Fort Peck Community College; $11,593 at Helena College University of Montana), ROI score (92.17 vs 8.79), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($14,747 vs $40,738), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Fort Peck Community College; Open / not reported at Helena College University of Montana) 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 | Fort Peck Community College | Helena College University of Montana |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 92.17 ✓ | 8.79 |
| Avg net price | $400 ✓ | $11,593 |
| 4-year avg net price | $1,600 ✓ | $46,372 |
| In-state tuition | $2,250 | $4,146 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $2,250 | $11,318 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $14,747 | $40,738 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 16.7% | 33.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 30.2% | 54.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | — | $14,580 |
| Enrollment | 282 | 585 |
| 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 | Fort Peck Community College | Helena College University of Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | -$144 ✓ | $9,709 |
| Family income $30–48k | $54 ✓ | $8,148 |
| Family income $48–75k | $4,779 ✓ | $12,803 |
| Family income $75–110k | $3,239 ✓ | $15,241 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $15,485 |
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 | Fort Peck Community College | Helena College University of Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 16.9% | 26.9% |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 4.8% | 21.7% |
| Precision Metal Working | 2.4% | 17.5% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.6% | 7.1% |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | 3.6% | 0.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Fort Peck Community College reports the lower average net price by $11,193 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $44,772 difference over four years ($1,600 vs $46,372).
Helena College University of Montana reports $25,991 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($40,738 vs $14,747). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 30.2% at Fort Peck Community College and 54.7% at Helena College University of Montana. Debt data is incomplete for at least one school, so it is not used as a deciding signal here.
5 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
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Fort Peck Community College vs Helena College University of Montana, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Fort Peck Community College is cheaper — average net price $400 per year vs $11,593 at Helena College University of Montana. The annual difference of $11,193 adds up to about $44,772 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Helena College University of Montana reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $40,738 vs $14,747 at Fort Peck Community College. The gap in the federal data is $25,991. 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.