Highlands College of Montana Tech vs. Great Falls College Montana State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Highlands College of Montana Tech in Butte, MT with Great Falls College Montana State University in Great Falls, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Great Falls College Montana State University is larger than Highlands College of Montana Tech based on total student enrollment (1,502 students vs. 727 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Highlands College of Montana Tech is located in Butte, MT (Rural Fringe setting); Great Falls College Montana State University is in Great Falls, MT (Small City setting).
• Highlands College of Montana Tech is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Great Falls College Montana State University is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Highlands College of Montana Tech 14:1; Great Falls College Montana State University 17:1.

Highlands College of Montana Tech vs. Great Falls College Montana State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Highlands College of Montana Tech or Great Falls College Montana State University? 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 Great Falls College Montana State University than Highlands College of Montana Tech ($11,444 vs. $13,823).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Great Falls College Montana State University are 21.8% lower than at Highlands College of Montana Tech ($9,476 vs. $12,120).
• Highlands College of Montana Tech is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Great Falls College Montana State University (about $102 more per year; $4,130.00 vs. $4,028.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.9% higher at Great Falls College Montana State University than at Highlands College of Montana Tech (about $1,961 more per year; $12,911.00 vs. $10,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Highlands College of Montana Tech than at Great Falls College Montana State University (52% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Great Falls College Montana State University students is 38.3% larger than aid received by Highlands College of Montana Tech students ($6,308 vs. $4,560).

Highlands College of Montana Tech vs. Great Falls College Montana State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Highlands College of Montana Tech or Great Falls College Montana State University? 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 Great Falls College Montana State University and Highlands College of Montana Tech.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Highlands College of Montana Tech - Open admission; Great Falls College Montana State University - Open admission.

Highlands College of Montana Tech vs. Great Falls College Montana State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Highlands College of Montana Tech and Great Falls College Montana State University? 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 Highlands College of Montana Tech earn a median of about $17,500 more per year than Great Falls College Montana State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $32,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Highlands College of Montana Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Great Falls College Montana State University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 47%)

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.