Head-to-head · 2026
Helena College University of Montana vs Salish Kootenai College
Compare average net price ($11,593 at Helena College University of Montana; $7,945 at Salish Kootenai College), ROI score (8.79 vs 10.30), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($40,738 vs $32,725), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Helena College University of Montana; Open / not reported at Salish Kootenai College) 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 | Helena College University of Montana | Salish Kootenai College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.79 | 10.30 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $11,593 | $7,945 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $46,372 | $31,780 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $4,146 | $4,311 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $11,318 | $11,583 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $40,738 ✓ | $32,725 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 33.3% ✓ | 27.6% |
| Retention rate | 54.7% | 82.4% ✓ |
| Median debt | $14,580 | $12,923 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 585 | 580 |
| 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 | Helena College University of Montana | Salish Kootenai College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,709 | $6,999 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $8,148 ✓ | $9,221 |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,803 | $8,502 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,241 | $11,883 ✓ |
| 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 | Helena College University of Montana | Salish Kootenai College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 26.9% | 2.2% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 13.2% | 15.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Salish Kootenai College reports the lower average net price by $3,648 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $14,592 difference over four years ($31,780 vs $46,372).
Helena College University of Montana reports $8,013 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($40,738 vs $32,725). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 54.7% at Helena College University of Montana and 82.4% at Salish Kootenai College. Median federal debt among completers is $14,580 vs $12,923, respectively.
2 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
Helena College University of Montana vs Salish Kootenai College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Salish Kootenai College is cheaper — average net price $7,945 per year vs $11,593 at Helena College University of Montana. The annual difference of $3,648 adds up to about $14,592 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 $32,725 at Salish Kootenai College. The gap in the federal data is $8,013. 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.