Most Affordable Online Associate Degrees in Montana 2025

Associate degrees are two-year degrees, and many are available online. Some students choose to earn associate degrees to quickly enter the workforce or earn an industry credential. Others start their higher education with an associate degree to save money.

The most affordable associate degree online are usually found at community colleges. However, tuition rates can vary significantly between schools. Keep reading to discover the most affordable online associate degrees in Montana.

How Much Does an Associate Degree Cost in Montana?

The cost of an online associate degree in Montana depends on several things, such as the type of school you attend, where you live, if you have transfer credits, and what type of financial aid you qualify for.

The cheapest online colleges in Montana are all public schools, which is no surprise considering there are very few private institutions in the state. You'll find the most affordable associate degrees online at community colleges.

However, where you live can greatly impact your costs. Some community colleges offer special discounts for in-district residents. Others charge a lower out-of-state rate for students who live in states that are part of the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai'i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Financial aid can also make a huge difference in your costs. Montana offers the Montana Promise Act, a last-dollar scholarship for in-state students attending Montana community colleges. Several individual colleges and universities offer financial aid as well. To find out if you qualify, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Cheapest Online Associate Degree Programs

Several colleges and universities in Montana offer online associate degrees, but some are more affordable than others. Below, we've highlighted the cheapest online associate degrees in Montana.

1. Montana State University Billings

Montana State University Billings is a public institution in Billings, MT. It offers associate degrees online in fields like business administration, accounting, general studies, and human resource management.

MSU Billings charges in-state residents $114.74 per credit for online associate degrees, while out-of-state tuition is $238.49 per credit. The rate for WUE students is $172.11 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $114.74 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $238.49 per credit.

Program length: Four months of full-time study

Financial aid: MSU Billings accepts FAFSA, offers multiple institutional scholarships, and accepts private aid.

Accreditation: NWCCU

2. Helena College University of Montana

Helena College is a private community college in Helena, MT. It's part of the Montana University System and offers online associate degrees in accounting, business technology, and liberal arts.

Tuition for in-state students is $120.97 per credit before additional fees, while tuition for out-of-state students is $414.78 per credit. WUE students may qualify for a lower out-of-state rate.

Average in-state tuition: $120.97 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $414.78 per credit

Program length: Four months of full-time study

Financial aid: Helena College accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid like scholarships and work-study opportunities, and accepts private aid.

Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

3. University of Montana

Students at the University of Montana can choose from a handful of associate degrees online. Areas of study include applied science, business, communication, and general studies.

This public research institution is located in Missoula, MT. Tuition for online students is $122.55 per credit for those living in Montana and $412.55 for those out-of-state.

Average in-state tuition: $122.55 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $412.55 per credit.

Program length: Four months of full-time study

Financial aid: The University of Montana offers institutional aid to help students pay for their online courses. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations.

Accreditation: NWCCU

4. Great Falls College Montana State University

At Great Falls College, students can choose from over 20 online programs. Areas of study include computer science, education, general studies, and healthcare.

This public school is based in Great Falls, MT. It charges Montana residents $127.72 per credit and non-residents $497.82 per credit. WUE students pay a discounted out-of-state rate of $191.58 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $127.72 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $497.82 per credit

Program length: Four months of full-time study

Financial aid: GFC offers institutional financial aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: NWCCU

5. Dawson Community College

Dawson Community College offers several options for online associate degrees in fields like business management, chemical dependency counseling, criminal justice, and general studies. The public school is located in Glendive, MT, and is part of the Montana University system.

Students who live in the district pay $91 per credit in tuition, while out-of-district Montana residents pay $158 per credit. The tuition rate for WUE students is $237 per credit, while all other out-of-state students pay $251.

Average in-state tuition: $158 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $251 per credit

Program length: Four months of full-time study

Financial aid: DCC offers institutional aid, including scholarships, and also accepts FAFSA and private aid.

Accreditation: NWCCU

6. Miles Community College

Multiple associate degrees are available online at Miles Community College. Areas of study include general studies, human and social services, and business administration.

Miles CC, located in Miles City, MT, is a public community college. It charges in-district residents $103 per credit, other in-state residents $161 per credit, WUE students $245 per credit, and other out-of-state students $298 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $161 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $298 per credit

Program length: Four months of full-time study

Financial aid: Miles Community College accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional financial aid.

Accreditation: NWCCU

7. University of Montana Western

The University of Montana Western is a public college in Dillon, MT. It offers an online Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in early childhood education.

This degree prepares learners to meet the unique needs of children from birth through age eight and their families in various early childhood settings. Tuition for Montana residents is $209.96 per credit. Non-residents pay $767.53 per credit, with the exception of WUE students, who have a tuition rate of $314.92 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $209.96 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $767.53 per credit

Program length: Four months of full-time study

Financial aid: UMW accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid like scholarships and work-study opportunities, and accepts private aid.

Accreditation: NWCCU

8. Montana State University-Northern

Montana State University-Northern offers two associate degrees through online learning. MSUN is a public college in Havre, MT.

Online associate degrees are available in business technology and general education. Residents pay $477.71 per credit, while non-residents pay $1,098.23. WUE students have a tuition rate of $586.96 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $477.71 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $1,098.23 per credit

Program length: Four months of full-time study

Financial aid: MSUN accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources. It also offers institutional aid.

Accreditation: NWCCU

Other Affordable Online Associate Degrees in the U.S.

There aren't a lot of colleges in Montana, but residents can still pursue their online education through schools outside the state. We've listed a few additional options below.

University of the People

Three online associate degrees are available at University of the People. These are Associate of Science (AS) degrees in business administration, computer science, and health science.

University of the People is a private, nonprofit, online college based in Pasadena, CA. It's unique because it does not charge a tuition rate, just a flat fee per course. All three associate degrees cost $140 per course, for a total of about $2,800 for the degree.

Average in-state tuition: $140 per course

Average out-of-state tuition: $140 per course

Program length: Four months of full-time study

Financial aid: University of the People offers scholarships and accepts private financial aid.

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Metropolitan Community College

Metropolitan Community College is a public school based in Omaha, NE. It offers over 50 online associate degrees and certificate programs in areas like criminal justice, graphic design, information technology, and liberal arts.

Tuition for Nebraska residents is $70 per credit. For out-of-state students, including those living in Montana, the rate is just $105 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $70 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $105 per credit

Program length: Four months of full-time study

Financial aid: MCC accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

How We Rank Schools

To choose the most affordable associate degrees online for the list above, we focused on:

• Location: We started by looking at public and nonprofit schools based in Montana.
• Accreditation: All schools on this list hold regional accreditation.
• Affordability: We searched for the lowest-cost programs in Montana as well as other states.
• Online format: All schools listed offer at least one fully online associate degree, and many offer certificate programs and other undergraduate degrees online as well.

FAQs About the Cheapest Associate Degrees in Montana

Choosing the right online college isn't always easy. To help you out, we've answered some frequently asked questions about the cheapest online associate degrees in Montana below.

What Is the Easiest Associate Degree To Get Online in Montana?

For many students, the easiest associate degree to earn online is a general studies degree. These degrees have very few specific course requirements and are more focused on helping students complete their general education requirements and prepare for transfer into a bachelor's degree program.

What Is the Cheapest Way To Get an Associate Degree?

There are several ways that undergraduate students can lower the cost of their associate degrees. If you're still in high school, look for options that allow you to take college-level coursework, like Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Some community colleges offer partnerships with area high schools as well.

You can often take these classes for free, then transfer the credits into your associate program. If you're out of high school but have previous college experience, look into transferring your credits as well.

When choosing a college, pick one that offers you a low tuition rate. Additionally, look for online colleges that accept financial aid, as this will allow you to use federal and state student aid.

How Much Does a 2-Year Degree Cost?

According to the Education Data Initiative, the national average for a two-year degree at an in-state community college is $3,780 per year. However, tuition in Montana is slightly higher, at $4,150 per year. Despite this, programs like the Montana Promise Act can help students earn their associate degrees for free.

What Is the Cheapest College in Montana?

The cheapest college in Montana will depend on where you live and what level of degree you want to pursue. For students earning an online associate degree, Montana State University Billings is generally the least expensive. However, Dawson Community College and Miles Community College both offer lower tuition rates for students who live within their districts.

Earn Your Associate Degree Online

Find the perfect online associate degree for you by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.