Montana Technological University: 89.5% Acceptance Rate

89.5%Acceptance

$8,050Tuition

1,428Students

58%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$54,329Earnings

#7 in MontanaPublic4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalNAIAData: 2023-24

About Montana Technological University

Montana Tech has built its reputation on engineering and mining programs that connect directly to the region's resource extraction industries. The university enrolls 1,428 students in Butte, a former copper mining boomtown in the Montana Rockies. Students here study petroleum engineering, metallurgical engineering, and geophysical engineering alongside traditional programs. The school's nickname, Orediggers, reflects its mining heritage and technical focus.

The financial picture looks solid for graduates. Students pay an average net price of $16,240 after aid, with median debt of $18,750 upon graduation. New graduates earn a median of $63,761 in their first year, jumping to $73,365 by year five. Those numbers mean most students can handle their monthly loan payments of $199. The employment rate hits 96.7%, suggesting strong job placement in Montana's energy and mining sectors.

Montana Tech maintains a 13:1 student-faculty ratio that supports hands-on learning in technical fields. Men make up 63% of the student body, reflecting the engineering focus. About 85% of students come from Montana, creating a tight-knit community feel. The 58% six-year graduation rate trails national averages, but the strong earning potential and low debt make this school worth considering for students serious about technical careers.

Academics & Faculty

Montana Tech built its reputation on engineering and mining programs that directly serve the state's resource-rich economy. The university maintains strong ties to Montana's mining industry, giving students real-world experience in metallurgical and petroleum engineering. With a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, professors can provide hands-on mentoring that's crucial for technical fields. However, the 58% six-year graduation rate suggests students face challenges completing their degrees. The school's technological focus means most programs emphasize applied learning over theoretical study. Engineering students often land jobs before graduation due to industry partnerships. Montana Tech operates as a specialized technological university rather than a broad liberal arts institution.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Full-Time Faculty: 72.6%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 57.4%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 58.1%
Retention Rate: 76.2%
Median Earnings (10 years): $54,329
Carnegie Classification: Master's University (Small)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Mining and Mineral Engineering.	Bachelor	$84,653
Public Health.	Master	$84,653
Petroleum Engineering.	Bachelor	$78,343
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.	Bachelor	$71,015
Public Health.	Bachelor	$64,344
Engineering, General.	Bachelor	$58,334
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Bachelor	$56,415
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$56,157
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.	Master	$52,733
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$50,606

View all 62 programs →

Campus Life

Butte sits 5,600 feet above sea level in the Rocky Mountains, meaning heavy winter coats are essential from October through April. With only 460 housing spots for 1,428 students, roughly one-third live on campus while most commute from town or nearby areas. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio creates tight-knit classroom environments where professors know students by name.

Mining engineering dominates campus culture, reflecting Butte's history as "The Richest Hill on Earth." Students often spend weekends exploring old mine shafts or hiking the surrounding mountains. The Orediggers compete in NAIA athletics with 285 student-athletes across eight sports. With 85% of students from Montana, the campus feels like a close community where everyone recognizes familiar faces. Butte offers small-town charm but sits 120 miles from any major city, making weekend trips to Missoula or Bozeman popular escapes. The Berkeley Pit, a massive former copper mine now filled with toxic water, serves as both a local landmark and reminder of the region's mining heritage.

Setting: Town-Remote
Housing Capacity: 460 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1900

Campus Safety (2023)

4 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Motor Vehicle Theft	3	0	0	0
Negligent Manslaughter	0	0	0	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 7°–31°F
July Avg: 45°–80°F
Annual Precipitation: 25.8"
Annual Snowfall: 62.2"

Student Demographics

Montana Tech draws students who want hands-on technical training close to home. With 85% of students from Montana, the school serves as the state's pipeline for engineers and mining professionals. The student body skews male at 63%, reflecting the engineering and mining focus that dominates campus culture. About one in five students receives Pell Grants, showing the school attracts working-class Montanans seeking practical degrees. These students typically come from rural communities and small towns across Big Sky Country, drawn by affordable tuition and strong job placement in Montana's natural resource industries.

Men: 63.0%
Women: 37.0%
White: 81.5%
Black: 1.3%
Hispanic: 4.8%
Asian: 1.3%
In-State Students: 85.5%
Pell Grant Recipients: 21.4%

Location

Butte sits in the mountains of southwestern Montana, about 65 miles southeast of Helena and 120 miles northwest of Bozeman. The town grew around copper mining in the late 1800s and still shows its industrial heritage. Montana Tech's 1,428 students make up a significant portion of this remote mountain community of about 35,000 residents. The campus sits at 5,500 feet elevation in the Rocky Mountains. Butte experiences harsh winters with heavy snow that can last from October through April. The setting reflects the school's mining and engineering focus, with old mining headframes visible around town. Students considering colleges in Montana may also compare Montana Technological University with similar schools in the region.

Address: Butte, Montana 59701-8997

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $54,329
Median Earnings (5 years): $73,365
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $48,100
Loan Repayment Rate: 58.4%
Monthly Loan Payment: $199/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $18,750

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Montana Technological University?

Montana Technological University accepts 89.47% of applicants, making it accessible for most students with solid academic records. The average SAT score of 1185 reflects the school's focus on admitting students ready for rigorous engineering and technical programs.

How much does Montana Technological University cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $16,240 after aid, with families earning under $30,000 paying just $11,327. The median debt of $18,750 is relatively low for engineering graduates, whose strong earning potential helps justify the investment.

What is Montana Technological University known for academically?

Montana Tech specializes in engineering and mining programs with deep industry connections throughout Montana's mining region. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio allows for hands-on learning in technical fields that directly serve the state's natural resource industries.

What are the career outcomes for Montana Technological University graduates?

Graduates achieve a 96.7% employment rate with median earnings of $54,329 ten years after graduation. The school's focus on mining and engineering creates strong pathways into Montana's resource extraction industries and related technical fields.

Where is Montana Technological University located and what is campus life like?

The university sits in Butte, Montana, a remote mining town with 1,428 total students and housing for 460 on campus. The Orediggers compete in 8 NAIA sports with 285 total athletes, creating a tight-knit community where nearly everyone knows each other.

Does Montana Technological University have strong connections to the mining industry?

Montana Tech was founded in 1900 specifically to serve the mining industry, and 85.45% of students come from in-state. The school maintains deep relationships with mining companies throughout the region, providing internships and job placement opportunities that reflect its historical mission.