Photo: Greg Gjerdingen · CC BY 2.0The nearest college is 31.5 miles from Big Sky
No college is within 15 miles of Big Sky. The nearest is Montana State University in Bozeman, MT (15,951 students on campus); Highlands College of Montana Tech in Butte is 73.9 miles away.
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Big Sky. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Big Sky
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
The nearest college to Big Sky
No college is within 15 miles, so this is the closest one. The map also shows the nearest community college, priced below.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the nearest college and the nearest community college. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at Over $110k, where Big Sky’s median household income ($138,805) falls.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Do students finish, and does it pay?
The same two colleges: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: Highlands College of Montana Tech (2).
Questions about college near Big Sky
What is the closest college to Big Sky?
Montana State University in Bozeman, MT, 31.5 miles in a straight line from the center of Big Sky. No college is within 15 miles.
What is the closest community college to Big Sky, and what does it cost?
Highlands College of Montana Tech in Butte, 73.9 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,130 a year for Montana residents; the federal net price, $14,962, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Montana State University cost if we live in Montana?
Tuition and fees are $8,460 a year in-state and $33,287 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $17,797 (under $30,000 income) to $25,905 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
How many Big Sky residents are in college?
About 2 of every 100 (Census, 2020–24), below Montana (5). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Big Sky. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →