About Rocky Mountain College
The money picture looks manageable for most families. While tuition runs $33,252, the average student pays just $18,508 after financial aid kicks in. That's less than half the sticker price. Graduates earn a median of $49,036 ten years out, which helps explain why the loan repayment rate sits at a solid 65%. Students typically graduate with $26,000 in debt and monthly payments of $276, numbers that work better than many larger schools.
Athletics play a big role here, with 387 students competing in 12 NAIA sports as the Battlin' Bears. That means nearly half the student body plays college sports, creating a campus where games matter and school spirit runs high. The 64% retention rate suggests some students transfer out, often to larger universities or back home to save money.
Academics & Faculty
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 85.5%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 46.3%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 46.7%
- Retention Rate
- 63.9%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $49,036
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Small)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $105,752 |
| Air Transportation. | Bachelor | $46,478 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $40,017 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $36,312 |
Campus Life
Montana winters are no joke. You'll need a serious coat, boots, and layers from November through March when temperatures regularly drop below freezing. But students here embrace the cold, heading to nearby ski areas or hiking the Rimrocks (the sandstone cliffs that overlook the city). The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name, and with 387 students playing varsity sports out of just 790 total, athletics dominate weekend social life. The Battlin' Bears compete in NAIA, so games feel personal rather than like massive spectacles. Students often spend Saturdays at sporting events, then gather in dorms or head downtown to Billings' local bars and cafes.
- Setting
- City-Midsize
- Housing Capacity
- 571 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1878
Campus Safety (2023)
5 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rape | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 17°–36°F
- July Avg
- 58°–86°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 28.4"
- Annual Snowfall
- 100.6"
Student Demographics
- Men
- 51.1%
- Women
- 48.9%
- White
- 71.9%
- Black
- 4.8%
- Hispanic
- 7.5%
- Asian
- 0.3%
- In-State Students
- 52.8%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 31.7%
Location
- Address
- Billings, Montana 59102-1796
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $49,036
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $52,790
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $34,500
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 65.4%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $276/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $26,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Rocky Mountain College?
Rocky Mountain College accepts 75% of applicants, making it moderately selective for a private liberal arts institution. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 970-1230 on the SAT, with an average of 1100.
How much does Rocky Mountain College cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Rocky Mountain College is $18,508 after aid, below the full tuition of $33,252. Nearly 32% of students receive Pell Grants, and the college provides institutional grants averaging $23,062 to qualifying students.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Rocky Mountain College?
Rocky Mountain College maintains a 12:1 student-faculty ratio with only 790 total students. This small liberal arts environment allows for personalized attention and close mentoring relationships that larger universities cannot provide.
What are the graduation outcomes at Rocky Mountain College?
Rocky Mountain College has a 47% six-year graduation rate, and graduates earn a median salary of $49,036 ten years after enrollment. The college boasts a 98.6% employment rate, reflecting strong career preparation despite the modest graduation numbers.
Where is Rocky Mountain College located and what is campus life like?
Rocky Mountain College sits in Billings, Montana's largest city, with housing for 571 students out of 790 total enrollment. The Battlin' Bears compete in NAIA athletics with 387 student-athletes participating across 12 varsity sports, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere.
Does Rocky Mountain College have a religious affiliation?
Rocky Mountain College maintains a United Church of Christ affiliation, reflecting its 1878 founding by Congregationalist missionaries. The college preserves this liberal Protestant heritage while welcoming students of all backgrounds in its diverse community of 72% white, 12% minority, and 53% in-state students.
