Head-to-head · 2026
Fort Peck Community College vs Montana State University Billings
Compare average net price ($400 at Fort Peck Community College; $16,524 at Montana State University Billings), ROI score (92.17 vs 6.70), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($14,747 vs $44,296), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Fort Peck 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 | Fort Peck Community College | Montana State University Billings |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 92.17 ✓ | 6.70 |
| Avg net price | $400 ✓ | $16,524 |
| 4-year avg net price | $1,600 ✓ | $66,096 |
| In-state tuition | $2,250 | $7,280 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $2,250 | $22,897 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $14,747 | $44,296 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 16.7% | 30% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 30.2% | 55.6% ✓ |
| Median debt | — | $18,209 |
| Enrollment | 282 | 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 | Fort Peck Community College | Montana State University Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | -$144 ✓ | $13,927 |
| Family income $30–48k | $54 ✓ | $14,387 |
| Family income $48–75k | $4,779 ✓ | $16,749 |
| Family income $75–110k | $3,239 ✓ | $18,948 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $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 | Fort Peck Community College | Montana State University Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 16.9% | 7.5% |
| Psychology, General | 7.2% | 4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 4.8% | 3.8% |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 4.8% | 3.1% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 6% | 1.9% |
| Precision Metal Working | 2.4% | 1.9% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.6% | 0.6% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 1.2% | 0.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Fort Peck Community College reports the lower average net price by $16,124 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $64,496 difference over four years ($1,600 vs $66,096).
Montana State University Billings reports $29,549 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($44,296 vs $14,747). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 30.2% at Fort Peck Community College and 55.6% at Montana State University Billings. 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
Fort Peck 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?
Fort Peck Community College is cheaper — average net price $400 per year vs $16,524 at Montana State University Billings. The annual difference of $16,124 adds up to about $64,496 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 $14,747 at Fort Peck Community College. The gap in the federal data is $29,549. 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.