Head-to-head · 2026
Great Falls College Montana State University vs The University of Montana
Compare average net price ($12,468 at Great Falls College Montana State University; $16,784 at The University of Montana), ROI score (7.63 vs 6.63), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($38,034 vs $44,511), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Great Falls College Montana State University; 95.9% at The 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 | Great Falls College Montana State University | The University of Montana |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.63 ✓ | 6.63 |
| Avg net price | $12,468 ✓ | $16,784 |
| 4-year avg net price | $49,872 ✓ | $67,136 |
| In-state tuition | $4,028 | $8,552 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $12,911 | $33,671 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $38,034 | $44,511 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 95.9% |
| Graduation rate | 34.1% | 48% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 55.7% | 74.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | — | $22,400 |
| Enrollment | 894 | 7,488 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1190 |
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 | The University of Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,675 ✓ | $13,960 |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,624 ✓ | $14,892 |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,778 ✓ | $17,180 |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,535 ✓ | $19,269 |
| Family income $110k+ | $16,664 ✓ | $20,930 |
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 | The University of Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 28.1% | 4.6% |
| Precision Metal Working | 20% | 0.7% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 9.1% | 1.8% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 6.7% | 3.5% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 8.8% | 1.1% |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | 5.3% | 0.8% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.9% | 1.6% |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | 1.1% | 0% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Great Falls College Montana State University reports the lower average net price by $4,316 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $17,264 difference over four years ($49,872 vs $67,136).
The University of Montana reports $6,477 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($44,511 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 74.8% at The University of Montana. 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.
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Frequently asked
Great Falls College Montana State University vs The University of Montana, 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 $16,784 at The University of Montana. The annual difference of $4,316 adds up to about $17,264 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
The University of Montana reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $44,511 vs $38,034 at Great Falls College Montana State University. The gap in the federal data is $6,477. 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.