Blackfeet Community College: $3,610 Tuition

$3,610Tuition

240Students

8%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$22,953Earnings

#23 in MontanaPrivate nonprofit4-yearData: 2023-24

About Blackfeet Community College

Blackfeet Community College serves the Blackfeet Nation on the windswept plains of northwestern Montana. The school was founded in 1974 to preserve Blackfeet culture while providing higher education opportunities to tribal members. With just 240 students, this tight-knit community emphasizes Native American traditions alongside academic programs. The remote setting means students are immersed in both their studies and their heritage.

The financial picture tells a compelling story for tribal members. Students pay an average net price of $6,319 regardless of residency status, making this one of the most affordable college options in Montana. Nearly 80% of students receive financial aid, with most qualifying for Pell Grants. However, graduates face challenging economic realities, earning a median of $22,953 ten years after enrollment. The low tuition helps minimize debt, but limited local job opportunities affect long-term earning potential.

The student body is overwhelmingly female, with women making up 68% of enrollment. Graduation rates remain low at 7.7% within six years, reflecting the complex challenges many tribal students face. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personal attention, and the semester calendar system provides structured academic progression. All students come from Montana, creating a close community rooted in shared cultural identity.

Academics & Faculty

Blackfeet Community College serves the Blackfeet Nation with culturally grounded education that blends traditional knowledge with academic programs. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio provides close mentoring in a tight-knit learning environment. However, only 7.7% of students graduate within six years, reflecting the unique challenges many tribal college students face including family responsibilities, financial pressures, and geographic isolation. The college emphasizes Native American studies, environmental science, and business programs that prepare students for leadership roles within their community. Students often take classes part-time while managing work and family obligations. Academic support focuses on bridging cultural identity with higher education goals.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Full-Time Faculty: 70.5%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 3.4%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 7.7%
Median Earnings (10 years): $22,953
Carnegie Classification: Tribal College

Campus Life

Blackfeet Community College sits on the vast Blackfeet Reservation, about 125 miles northwest of Great Falls and 12 miles from Glacier National Park. You'll need serious winter gear here - Browning averages over 100 inches of snow annually and temperatures regularly drop below zero. The 240 students experience true rural isolation, with the nearest major city hours away.

With 68% of students being women and 93% identifying as American Indian, the campus reflects the Blackfeet Nation's commitment to higher education. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student personally. Nearly 80% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the economic challenges facing many tribal communities. The low graduation rates of 3.4% in four years and 7.7% in six years highlight the unique obstacles students face, from family responsibilities to economic pressures.

Weekends often involve traditional ceremonies, powwows, and outdoor activities in the stunning Rocky Mountain foothills. The college serves as a cultural center, preserving Blackfeet language and traditions while preparing students for modern careers.

Setting: Rural-Remote
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1974

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 13°–30°F
July Avg: 46°–73°F
Annual Precipitation: 30.4"
Annual Snowfall: 115.2"

Student Demographics

Blackfeet Community College draws from the local Blackfeet Nation, with all students coming from Montana. Nearly 80% receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's mission to serve a community where economic opportunity has been limited. Women make up about two-thirds of the 240 students enrolled. The student body is overwhelmingly Native American, with only 7% identifying as white. This demographic profile aligns perfectly with the college's founding purpose in 1974 to provide culturally relevant higher education to tribal members while preserving Blackfeet language and traditions.

Men: 31.7%
Women: 68.3%
White: 6.7%
Black: 0.0%
Hispanic: 0.4%
Asian: 0.0%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 79.8%

Location

Browning sits on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in northwestern Montana, roughly 120 miles from Great Falls and 30 miles from Glacier National Park. The college serves a population that is 93.33% Native American, reflecting its deep roots in the Blackfeet Nation. This remote prairie town experiences harsh winters and offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountain Front. With 100% of students coming from in-state, the campus draws primarily from local tribal communities. The surrounding area is characterized by vast grasslands, traditional Blackfeet culture, and proximity to some of Montana's most spectacular wilderness. Students considering colleges in Montana may also compare Blackfeet Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Browning, Montana 59417-0819

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $22,953
Median Earnings (5 years): $32,745
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $15,700

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Blackfeet Community College?

Blackfeet Community College serves all 240 students from Montana, with 100% in-state enrollment. This tribal community college focuses on serving the Blackfeet Nation and surrounding communities in rural Montana.

How much does Blackfeet Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $6,319 annually, with both in-state and out-of-state tuition set at $3,610. Nearly 80% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's mission to serve low-income Native American students.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Blackfeet Community College?

The college maintains a 13:1 student-faculty ratio among its 240 enrolled students. This small size allows for personalized attention and culturally relevant instruction rooted in Blackfeet traditions and values.

What are the graduation rates at Blackfeet Community College?

The four-year graduation rate stands at 3.42%, while the six-year rate reaches 7.70%. These rates reflect the unique challenges many tribal college students face, including family responsibilities and economic pressures in rural communities.

Where is Blackfeet Community College located?

The college sits in Browning, Montana, in a rural-remote setting on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Women comprise 68% of the student body, while Native American students make up the vast majority of enrollment.

How much do Blackfeet Community College graduates earn?

Alumni earn a median of $22,953 ten years after graduation, with five-year median earnings at $32,745. Founded in 1974, this tribal college emphasizes cultural preservation alongside workforce development for the reservation economy.