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Missoula, MontanaPhoto: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
Colleges in and near Missoula

Missoula is home to The University of Montana

The University of Montana (8,924 students on campus) is inside the city. About 11% of Missoula’s residents are enrolled in college, above Montana (5%).

The 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 Missoula. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
1
8,924 students on campus
Nearest college
2.3 mi
The University of Montana
Residents in college
11%
Above MT (5%)
Nearest community college
94.5 mi
Flathead Valley · $4,912 tuition
Nearest public university
2.3 mi
The University of Montana · $8,552 in-state
Median household income
$70K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Missoula

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

A university in MissoulaThe University of Montana has 8,924 students on campus in Missoula, 48% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at The University of MontanaLiving in Montana, The University of Montana charges $8,552 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $33,671. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 94.5 miles awayFlathead Valley Community College in Kalispell: tuition and fees $4,912 a year for Montana residents.Students are 11% of residentsAbove Montana (5%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Missoula

It is public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Missoula.

5 mi10 mi15 miThe University of MontanaMissoula
University or collegeCommunity college
The University of MontanaUniversity or college · Public · 8,924 on campus · In Missoula96%admitted$17knet price48%graduate$45kearnings

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. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Missoula’s median household income ($70,392) falls.

The University of MontanaIn Missoula · sticker $23,570$17,180a 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 within 15 miles of Missoula: 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 →The University of Montana
The University of Montana48% graduate$45k earnings$22k 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.

Majors

What students study in Missoula

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at The University of Montana, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 14%Social sciences 9%Natural resources 9%Health professions 9%Visual & performing arts 8%Liberal arts 8%Everything else 41%

Biggest programs

Psychology, General99 graduates a year
$46k4 yrs out
Natural Resources Conservation and Research65 graduates a year
$44k4 yrs out
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management62 graduates a year
$43k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods60 graduates a year
$43k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations59 graduates a year
$58k4 yrs out
Sociology55 graduates a year
$52k4 yrs out
Biology, General44 graduates a year
$38k4 yrs out
Social Work39 graduates a year
$46k4 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 Missoula

Is Missoula a college town?

No. About 11 of every 100 Missoula residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Montana (5). The largest campus in the city, The University of Montana, has 8,924 students on campus.

What colleges are in Missoula?

The University of Montana is inside the city. Flathead Valley Community College is 94.5 miles away in Kalispell.

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

Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, 94.5 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,912 a year for Montana residents; the federal net price, $8,099, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does The University of Montana cost if we live in Montana?

Tuition and fees are $8,552 a year in-state and $33,671 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $13,960 (under $30,000 income) to $20,930 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

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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 Missoula. 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 →