Rocky Mountain College
Rocky Mountain College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Rocky Mountain College at a Glance
Rocky Mountain College is a private college in Billings, Montana, United States. As of 2023, the college had 991 students. RMC is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the United Church of Christ.
1878
148 years old
$49M
$49.3 million (2025)
991
794 undergrad · 197 grad
60 acres
Identity
Is Rocky Mountain College Worth It?
At a value score of 30/100, Rocky Mountain College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $49,036 — 9% below average — while paying $19,751/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 48% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $26,000 representing 53% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Rocky Mountain College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Rocky Mountain College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #44 of 124 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #3 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #4 | Illinois College | 45 | $18,298 | $52,575 |
| #5 | Saint Vincent College | 45 | $23,510 | $59,982 |
| #6 | Lycoming College | 44 | $19,140 | $56,210 |
| #44 | Rocky Mountain College | 30 | $19,751 | $49,036 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Rocky Mountain College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Rocky Mountain College
The highest-earning program at Rocky Mountain College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $33,500/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Rocky Mountain College earns $33,500, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $33,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $23,250 in median debt vs. $23,250 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,751/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $33,500 | $33,500 | $23,250 |
Similar Colleges in MT
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Billings, MT
- Student Body
- 840 students
- Admission Rate
- 70%
- Graduation Rate
- 48%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,751
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $49,036
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000