2026 Best Value Teaching Schools in Montana
Looking for the best-value Teaching degree programs in Montana? This list ranks 29 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Teaching Degree Search reviewed 5 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Teaching Degree Schools in Montana
Explore the best-value schools below:
The University Of Montana Western earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Montana. Located in Dillon, MT, The University Of Montana Western is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,669, while out-of-state students pay about $20,130. The University Of Montana Western Teaching students take on a median of $22,484 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 100% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full The University Of Montana Western report
A rank of #2 makes Montana State University one of the best values in Montana. This public school is set in Bozeman, MT. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Students borrow a median of $23,635 to complete their Teaching program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%. Read more about Montana State University
A rank of #3 makes Montana State University Billings one of the best values in Montana. Based in Billings, MT, Montana State University Billings is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,897 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,465 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,296. Set against $25,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Montana State University Billings
Out of the 5 schools in Montana in this year's value ranking, The University Of Montana landed the #4 spot. The University Of Montana is a public school based in Missoula, MT. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. The median Teaching program debt is $24,342. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,511. Set against $24,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%. See the full The University Of Montana profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rocky Mountain College earned it the #5 place in Montana. Set in Billings, MT, Rocky Mountain College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,582. Typical Teaching student debt is $25,666. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,036 ten years after entry. Set against $25,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%. Get the full Rocky Mountain College report
Aaniiih Nakoda College came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. More on Aaniiih Nakoda College
Salish Kootenai College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Salish Kootenai College
Highlands College Of Montana Tech placed #8 among the best-value Teaching schools in Montana. Get the full Highlands College Of Montana Tech report
Butte Academy Of Beauty Culture ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. More on Butte Academy Of Beauty Culture
Miles Community College landed the #10 spot for value in Montana this year. Read more about Miles Community College
Carroll College
Carroll College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read the full report on Carroll College
Pima Medical Institute Dillon offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. See the full Pima Medical Institute Dillon profile
Helena College University Of Montana landed the #13 spot for value in Montana this year. See the full Helena College University Of Montana profile
Flathead Valley Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Read the full report on Flathead Valley Community College
Chief Dull Knife College placed #15 among the best-value Teaching schools in Montana. Get the full Chief Dull Knife College report
Montana Academy Of Salons offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. See the full Montana Academy Of Salons profile
Stone Child College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. More on Stone Child College
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. More on Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana
Little Big Horn College placed #19 among the best-value Teaching schools in Montana. See the full Little Big Horn College profile
Dawson Community College placed #20 among the best-value Teaching schools in Montana. More on Dawson Community College
Fort Peck Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Get the full Fort Peck Community College report
Great Falls College Montana State University landed the #22 spot for value in Montana this year. See the full Great Falls College Montana State University profile
Blackfeet Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Get the full Blackfeet Community College report
Montana Bible College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. See the full Montana Bible College profile
Aveda Institute Montana offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. See the full Aveda Institute Montana profile
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Teaching Degree Schools in Montana
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Creviers Academy Of Cosmetology Arts placed #26 among the best-value Teaching schools in Montana. Read more about Creviers Academy Of Cosmetology Arts
Montana State University Northern offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. More on Montana State University Northern
Academy Of Cosmetology Bozeman landed the #28 spot for value in Montana this year. Get the full Academy Of Cosmetology Bozeman report
University Of Great Falls placed #29 among the best-value Teaching schools in Montana. More on University Of Great Falls
More Teaching Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 5 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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