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Lewis and Clark County Hospital Historic District (Boundary Increase)Lewis and Clark County Hospital Historic District (Boundary Increase) · Photo: Montanabw · CC BY-SA 3.0
Colleges in and near Helena Valley West Central

Helena College University of Montana is 5 miles from Helena Valley West Central

No college sits inside Helena Valley West Central’s boundary, but Helena College University of Montana’s campus in Helena, with 1,173 students on campus, is 5 miles from the center of town. About 6% of Helena Valley West Central’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Montana (5%).

Carroll CollegeHelena College University of Montana

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 Helena Valley West Central. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
2
2,274 students on campus
Nearest college
4.3 mi
Carroll College
Residents in college
6%
About the same as MT (5%)
Nearest community college
5 mi
Helena College University of Montana · $4,146 tuition
Nearest public university
50.7 mi
Montana Technological University · $8,340 in-state
Median household income
$90K
prices below start here

What stands out about college from Helena Valley West Central

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Two colleges within 5 milesCarroll College admits 71% of applicants. Together they have 2,274 students on campus.A community college 5 miles awayHelena College University of Montana in Helena: tuition and fees $4,146 a year for Montana residents.In-state price at Montana Technological UniversityLiving in Montana, Montana Technological University charges $8,340 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $26,150. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 6% of residentsAbout the same as Montana (5%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Helena Valley West Central

One private college within 4.3 miles, and Helena College University of Montana 5 miles away. The nearest public four-year college, Montana Technological University, is 50.7 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miHelena College University of MontanaCarroll CollegeHelena Valley West Central
University or collegeCommunity college
Carroll CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,101 on campus · 4.3 mi · Helena71%admitted$24knet price69%graduate$62kearningsHelena College University of MontanaCommunity college · Public · 1,173 on campus · 5 mi · Helena$12knet price33%graduate$41kearningsTuition and fees: $4,146 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

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 it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $75–110k, where Helena Valley West Central’s median household income ($90,082) falls.

Helena College University of Montana5 mi · Helena · sticker $15,819 · tuition $4,146$15,241a year
Montana Technological University50.7 mi · Butte · sticker $22,786$18,843a year
Carroll College4.3 mi · Helena · sticker $55,626$23,919a year

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.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Carroll CollegeHelena College University of MontanaMontana Technological University
Montana Technological University58% graduate$54k earnings*$19k typical debt
Helena College University of Montana33% graduate$41k earnings$15k typical debt
Carroll College69% graduate$62k earnings$26k typical debt

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: Montana Technological University (2).

Questions about college near Helena Valley West Central

Is Helena Valley West Central a college town?

No. About 6 of every 100 Helena Valley West Central residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Montana (5). The nearest campus, Carroll College, is 4.3 miles away in Helena.

What colleges are near Helena Valley West Central?

Within 15 miles: Carroll College (4.3 miles, 1,101 students on campus) and Helena College University of Montana (5 miles, 1,173).

What is the closest community college to Helena Valley West Central, and what does it cost?

Helena College University of Montana in Helena, 5 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,146 a year for Montana residents; the federal net price, $11,593, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Montana Technological University cost if we live in Montana?

Tuition and fees are $8,340 a year in-state and $26,150 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $11,914 (under $30,000 income) to $19,595 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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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 Helena Valley West Central. 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 →