Father Oliver Doyle, President | University of Providence
Father Oliver Doyle, President | University of Providence
Data shows that students paid $11,924 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $355 more than the previous school year.
Among the three institutions in the county, the University of Providence stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $27,606. Montana Academy of Salons followed with an average of $17,200 per year. Great Falls College Montana State University students were offered the lowest annual tuition fees at $3,688.
At the time, a total of $2.7 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Cascade County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached $1.1 million.
Currently there are three higher education institutions in Cascade County, including University of Providence, Montana Academy of Salons, and Great Falls College Montana State University.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Number of Students Receiving Grants | Total Amount of Grants Received | Average Amount of Grant Per Student | Number of Students Receiving Loans | Total Amount of Loans Received | Average Amount of Loans Per Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Providence | 94 | $2,061,851 | $21,935 | 58 | $467,366 | $8,058 |
| Montana Academy of Salons | 45 | $229,765 | $5,106 | 61 | $426,224 | $6,987 |
| Great Falls College Montana State University | 73 | $430,382 | $5,896 | 38 | $183,989 | $4,842 |
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