Head-to-head · 2026
Montana State University Billings vs University of Providence
Compare average net price ($16,524 at Montana State University Billings; $17,649 at University of Providence), ROI score (6.70 vs 6.84), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($44,296 vs $48,296), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Montana State University Billings; 50.3% at University of Providence) 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 | Montana State University Billings | University of Providence |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.70 | 6.84 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $16,524 ✓ | $17,649 |
| 4-year avg net price | $66,096 ✓ | $70,596 |
| In-state tuition | $7,280 | $30,448 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $22,897 | $30,448 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $44,296 | $48,296 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 50.3% |
| Graduation rate | 30% ✓ | 27.9% |
| Retention rate | 55.6% | 72.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | $18,209 ✓ | $18,750 |
| Enrollment | 2,626 | 528 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | 980 |
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 | Montana State University Billings | University of Providence |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $13,927 ✓ | $14,257 |
| Family income $30–48k | $14,387 | $11,616 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $16,749 ✓ | $16,802 |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,948 ✓ | $22,545 |
| Family income $110k+ | $20,035 ✓ | $20,676 |
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 | Montana State University Billings | University of Providence |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 7.3% | 21% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 6.9% | 11.9% |
| Psychology, General | 4% | 2.2% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 1.9% | 4.2% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 3% | 2.5% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 3.8% | 0.7% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 2.3% | 1.9% |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 2% | 2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Montana State University Billings reports the lower average net price by $1,125 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $4,500 difference over four years ($66,096 vs $70,596).
University of Providence reports $4,000 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($48,296 vs $44,296). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 55.6% at Montana State University Billings and 72.2% at University of Providence. Median federal debt among completers is $18,209 vs $18,750, respectively.
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
Montana State University Billings vs University of Providence, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Montana State University Billings is cheaper — average net price $16,524 per year vs $17,649 at University of Providence. The annual difference of $1,125 adds up to about $4,500 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Providence reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $48,296 vs $44,296 at Montana State University Billings. The gap in the federal data is $4,000. 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.