2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in Montana
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering students.
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2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in Montana
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana the best value for a degree in engineering in Montana. Located in the town of Butte, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,289, while out-of-state students pay about $26,094. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana generally make around $79,985. Set against $26,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Montana State University is a large public school located in the city of Bozeman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Students borrow a median of $23,522 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $68,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
