Montana State University Billings
Billings, Montana · Public
ROI Score: 34/100 · Poor Value
Montana State University Billings earns a CampusROI score of 34 out of 100, landing in the Poor Value tier. The score reflects a structural mismatch: low in-state tuition of $7,280 (a strong starting point) is undercut by a 30.0% completion rate that pulls the completion sub-score down to 10. Average net price after aid is $16,524, with four-year cost at $66,096. The earnings premium of 14.1% over high-school-only peers is below the public-university average, the payback period is 22.2 years, and median earnings six years out are $34,300 rising to $44,296 by year ten. The 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio against $18,209 in median federal debt is genuinely solid (sub-score 67), and the repayment rate of 76.4% is above average. The story here is that finishers do reasonably well; it is just that finishing is statistically uncommon. MSU Billings serves a heavily commuter, working-adult population in southeastern Montana and operates an upper-division program at the City College branch (a community-college conversion), both of which complicate the federal completion methodology. Students who finish in nursing, business, or education see real value at the in-state price.
The data raises concerns about Montana State University Billings
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score34/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate30.0% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period22.2 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Montana State University Billings
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,280/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $22,897/yr |
| Average net price | $16,524/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $66,096 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,296 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $34,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $18,209 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $193 |
| Estimated payback period | 22.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 30.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,626 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Montana State University Billings is $7,280/year ($22,897/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $16,524/year, or roughly $66,096 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $13,927/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $20,035/year.
The median graduate leaves with $18,209 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $193 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $44,296 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.53 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,927 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,387 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,749 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,948 |
| $110,001+ | $20,035 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 face an average net price of $13,927 per year at MSU Billings. With Pell stacking, four-year cost lands near $55,700. For low-income students who finish a nursing or business credential, the math works well; nursing graduates earn $71,449 in year one alone. The completion-rate caveat applies forcefully here.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001 to $75,000 bracket pays $16,749 per year and the $75,001 to $110,000 bracket pays $18,948. Four-year totals are $67,000 to $75,800. Middle-income Montana families get a respectable in-state deal, particularly for nursing-bound students.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $20,035 per year, with four-year cost approaching $80,140. The aid curve flattens at the top, but pricing remains well below private-college alternatives. Families in this tier should weigh MSU Billings against MSU Bozeman, where the flagship's stronger completion rate and slightly stronger earnings tail can justify the marginal cost difference.
Earnings by Major
Top 7 most popular majors at Montana State University Billings with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | $58,827 | C+ |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $67,304 | F |
| Teacher Education | $37,846 | D |
| Registered Nursing | $71,449 | C+ |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $39,422 | - |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $39,666 | B |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $65,875 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Business Administration and Management
Business is the largest program with 113 graduates per cohort, the dominant cohort by far. Year-one earnings of $44,082 climb to $58,827 by year four. With $22,625 in median debt, the 0.51 debt-to-earnings ratio earns a C+ ROI grade. This is the strongest high-volume program at the school and reflects the labor-market value of a business credential in the Billings regional economy.
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Liberal Arts graduates 39 students per cohort with year-one earnings of $29,832 climbing dramatically to $67,304 by year four; the steep four-year growth suggests many graduates pursue post-baccalaureate study or progress into management roles. However, median debt of $39,800 is unusually high (more than double the school median), producing a 1.33 debt-to-earnings ratio against year-one earnings and an F ROI grade. Students choosing this track should plan for graduate work and target jobs deliberately.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education graduates 34 students per cohort. Year-one earnings of $35,132 climb modestly to $37,846 by year four. With $24,652 in debt, the 0.70 ratio earns a D ROI grade. Outcomes track Montana K-12 starting salaries, which are structurally below national averages. Graduates entering the Montana Teachers' Retirement System gain pension benefits not visible in earnings.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing graduates 28 students per cohort with year-one earnings of $71,449, a notably strong figure. With $32,988 in median debt, the 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio earns a C+ ROI grade. This is the strongest financial outcome on the page and reflects the regional premium on RN credentials in Montana's healthcare network. Graduates clear their debt on standard repayment in well under ten years.
Teacher Education, Subject-Specific
Subject-Specific Teacher Education graduates 24 students per cohort. Year-one earnings of $39,422 are reported, but four-year earnings, debt, and ROI grade are not reported. The year-one number tracks the same Montana K-12 wage structure as general teacher education and slightly exceeds the broader teacher-prep program.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 71.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 76.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 62.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 69.7% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Enrollment | 2,626 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 25.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,728 |
Admission rate is not reported in current Scorecard data for MSU Billings, and SAT/ACT mid-ranges are not reported either. The school operates with broadly accessible admissions consistent with its regional public-comprehensive mission, and many students enroll on a part-time, non-traditional, or transfer basis where the federal first-time-freshman methodology does not apply.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Peer schools include Montana Technological University, Montana State University, UNC Asheville, SUNY Canton, and University of South Carolina Aiken. Montana State (Bozeman) is dramatically larger and stronger and not really comparable; it is the flagship while Billings is the regional comprehensive. Montana Tech is closer in size but performs much better on financial outcomes due to its engineering-heavy program mix. UNC Asheville and USC Aiken are good size-and-type comparables; both produce somewhat better completion outcomes than MSU Billings while charging similar in-state prices. SUNY Canton is closest on completion-rate profile.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana State University Billings (this school) | 34 | $16,524 | $44,296 |
| Montana Technological University | 69 | $16,481 | $54,329 |
| Montana State University | 52 | $22,499 | $53,263 |
| SUNY College of Technology at Canton | 36 | $15,268 | $47,860 |
| University of North Carolina Asheville | 34 | $12,250 | $44,030 |
| University of South Carolina Aiken | 33 | $11,641 | $45,603 |
Who Thrives Here
MSU Billings serves about 2,626 students with a 25.4% Pell rate, indicating a working-class but not deeply low-income student body. The fit case is strongest for Montana residents pursuing nursing, business, or education credentials at the in-state price, who can commit to finishing on a four- or five-year timeline. Working adults using the upper-division pathway after a community-college start are also well-served. The 76.4% repayment rate is a positive signal compared to peer regional publics; finishers do successfully manage their debt.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Montana State University Billings. With a net cost of $16,524 per year and median graduate earnings of only $44,296 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 22.2 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 30.0% graduation rate and a long payback period.
Median debt of $18,209 against $44,296 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.