Charles A. Broadwater House · Photo: Jon Roanhaus · CC BY-SA 4.0Helena College University of Montana is 4.8 miles from Helena West Side
No college sits inside Helena West Side’s boundary, but Helena College University of Montana’s campus in Helena, with 1,173 students on campus, is 4.8 miles from the center of town. About 5% of Helena West Side’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Montana (5%).
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 West Side. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Helena West Side
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Helena West Side
One private college within 3.6 miles, and Helena College University of Montana 4.8 miles away. The nearest public four-year college, Montana Technological University, is 45.5 miles away.
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 colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $48–75k, where Helena West Side’s median household income ($66,921) 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?
Each dot is a college: 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: Montana Technological University (2).
Questions about college near Helena West Side
Is Helena West Side a college town?
No. About 5 of every 100 Helena West Side residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Montana (5). The nearest campus, Carroll College, is 3.6 miles away in Helena.
What colleges are near Helena West Side?
Within 15 miles: Carroll College (3.6 miles, 1,101 students on campus) and Helena College University of Montana (4.8 miles, 1,173).
What is the closest community college to Helena West Side, and what does it cost?
Helena College University of Montana in Helena, 4.8 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.
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 Helena West Side. 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 →