Flathead Valley Community College vs. Helena College University of Montana

Comparable Facts

Compare Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, MT with Helena College University of Montana in Helena, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Flathead Valley Community College is larger than Helena College University of Montana based on total student enrollment (2,234 students vs. 1,554 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Flathead Valley Community College is located in Kalispell, MT (Rural Fringe setting); Helena College University of Montana is in Helena, MT (Remote Town setting).
• Flathead Valley Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Helena College University of Montana is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Flathead Valley Community College 15:1; Helena College University of Montana 15:1.

Flathead Valley Community College vs. Helena College University of Montana Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Flathead Valley Community College or Helena College University of Montana? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Flathead Valley Community College than Helena College University of Montana ($8,874 vs. $10,650).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Helena College University of Montana are 10.2% lower than at Flathead Valley Community College ($9,225 vs. $10,277).
• Flathead Valley Community College is 50.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Helena College University of Montana (about $2,077 more per year; $6,223.00 vs. $4,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at Flathead Valley Community College than at Helena College University of Montana (about $341 more per year; $11,659.00 vs. $11,318.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Flathead Valley Community College than at Helena College University of Montana (69% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Flathead Valley Community College students is 2.4% larger than aid received by Helena College University of Montana students ($6,003 vs. $5,862).

Flathead Valley Community College vs. Helena College University of Montana Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Flathead Valley Community College or Helena College University of Montana? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Helena College University of Montana and Flathead Valley Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Flathead Valley Community College - Open admission; Helena College University of Montana - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Helena College University of Montana Aug 10, 2027.

Flathead Valley Community College vs. Helena College University of Montana Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Flathead Valley Community College and Helena College University of Montana? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Helena College University of Montana earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Flathead Valley Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Flathead Valley Community College graduates have a $6,238 lower median loan debt than Helena College University of Montana graduates ($10,500 vs. $16,738).
• Among borrowers, Flathead Valley Community College graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Helena College University of Montana graduates ($108 vs. $173).
• More Flathead Valley Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Helena College University of Montana students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.