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Montana State Capitol by T. ElizabethPhoto: Tracey Elizabeth · CC BY 2.0
Colleges in and near Helena

Helena is home to two colleges, with 2,274 students on campus

Helena College University of Montana (1,173 students on campus) and Carroll College (1,101) are inside the city. About 7% of Helena’s residents are enrolled in college, above Montana (5%).

Helena College University of MontanaCarroll College

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. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
2
2,274 students on campus
Nearest college
0.1 mi
Helena College University of Montana
Residents in college
7%
Above MT (5%)
Nearest community college
0.1 mi
Helena College University of Montana · $4,146 tuition
Nearest public university
47.8 mi
Montana Technological University · $8,340 in-state
Median household income
$71K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Helena

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

Two colleges within 1.1 milesCarroll College admits 71% of applicants. Together they have 2,274 students on campus.A community college 0.1 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 7% of residentsAbove Montana (5%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Helena

One private college within 1.1 miles, and Helena College University of Montana 0.1 miles away. The nearest public four-year college, Montana Technological University, is 47.8 miles away.

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

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 $48–75k, where Helena’s median household income ($71,036) falls.

Helena College University of MontanaIn Helena · sticker $15,819 · tuition $4,146$12,803a year
Montana Technological University47.8 mi · Butte · sticker $22,786$15,187a year
Carroll CollegeIn Helena · sticker $55,626$19,139a 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 →Helena College University of MontanaCarroll CollegeMontana 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).

Majors

What students study in Helena

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Helena’s 2 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Health professions 25%Business 14%Liberal arts 12%Biology 8%Mechanics & repair 7%Education 5%Everything else 29%

Biggest programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingCarroll College · 60 graduates a year
$81k4 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesHelena College University of Montana · 42 graduates a year
$40k4 yrs out
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, GeneralCarroll College · 30 graduates a year
$62k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingHelena College University of Montana · 29 graduates a year
$69k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsCarroll College · 27 graduates a year
$61k4 yrs out
Biology, GeneralCarroll College · 26 graduates a year
$33k4 yrs out
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/TechniciansHelena College University of Montana · 19 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsCarroll College · 19 graduates a year
$49k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Helena

Is Helena a college town?

No. About 7 of every 100 Helena residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Montana (5). The largest campus in the city, Helena College University of Montana, has 1,173 students on campus.

What colleges are in Helena?

Helena College University of Montana and Carroll College are inside the city.

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

Helena College University of Montana in Helena, 0.1 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. 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 →