Head-to-head · 2026
Great Falls College Montana State University vs Montana State University Billings
Compare average net price ($12,468 at Great Falls College Montana State University; $16,524 at Montana State University Billings), ROI score (7.63 vs 6.70), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($38,034 vs $44,296), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Great Falls College Montana State University; 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 | Great Falls College Montana State University | Montana State University Billings |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.63 ✓ | 6.70 |
| Avg net price | $12,468 ✓ | $16,524 |
| 4-year avg net price | $49,872 ✓ | $66,096 |
| In-state tuition | $4,028 | $7,280 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $12,911 | $22,897 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $38,034 | $44,296 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 34.1% ✓ | 30% |
| Retention rate | 55.7% ✓ | 55.6% |
| Median debt | — | $18,209 |
| Enrollment | 894 | 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 | Great Falls College Montana State University | Montana State University Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,675 ✓ | $13,927 |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,624 ✓ | $14,387 |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,778 ✓ | $16,749 |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,535 ✓ | $18,948 |
| Family income $110k+ | $16,664 ✓ | $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 | Great Falls College Montana State University | Montana State University Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 28.1% | 7.5% |
| Precision Metal Working | 20% | 1.9% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 8.8% | 7.3% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 6.7% | 6.9% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 9.1% | 3.9% |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 5.3% | 2.1% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.9% | 0.6% |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | 1.1% | 1.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Great Falls College Montana State University reports the lower average net price by $4,056 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $16,224 difference over four years ($49,872 vs $66,096).
Montana State University Billings reports $6,262 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($44,296 vs $38,034). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 55.7% at Great Falls College Montana State University 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
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Great Falls College Montana State University vs Montana State University Billings, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Great Falls College Montana State University is cheaper — average net price $12,468 per year vs $16,524 at Montana State University Billings. The annual difference of $4,056 adds up to about $16,224 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 $38,034 at Great Falls College Montana State University. The gap in the federal data is $6,262. 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.