
Billings, MTprivate nonprofitrocky.edu
Admit rate has ranged 59%–81% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Rocky Mountain College is a small, private liberal arts school in Billings, Montana, where the outdoorsy, tight-knit vibe meets surprisingly robust professional programs—especially aviation and health sciences. With a 70% acceptance rate and an average aid package of $26,500, it’s a practical choice for students who want hands-on learning without Ivy League pretensions (or price tags).
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Rocky Mountain College is decidedly not selective, with a 70% acceptance rate (sources vary slightly between 64-70%). The middle 50% of admitted students have SAT scores between 910–1133 or equivalent ACT scores, though test scores are optional. A 2.50 GPA is the floor for admission. About 44% of students come from out of state, suggesting regional appeal without being a destination for coastals. The admissions office emphasizes accessibility—contact info is prominently listed, including a toll-free number (800-877-6529) and email (admissions@rocky.edu).
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
RMC offers 47 majors and concentrations organized into eight interdisciplinary "pathways," blending liberal arts with career prep. The most popular programs are business, biological/biomedical sciences, and aviation (the latter a standout given Montana’s open skies). A creative writing concentration gets special emphasis for its "vibrant experience combining professionalism with the joy of creating art." The core curriculum focuses on leadership, critical thinking, and communication—practical skills with a liberal arts sheen. Small class sizes are implied by the college’s scale (under 1,000 students), though exact student-faculty ratios aren’t cited.
Life here is unapologetically communal: 55% of students live on campus, and the college touts "dynamic" dorm communities where staff foster "lasting relationships." Descriptions highlight a cozy, involved atmosphere with regular free events—think outdoor trips (no surprise in Montana) and low-key gatherings. The gender split is nearly even (49% female, 51% male), and while there’s no explicit diversity data, the vibe skews outdoorsy and participatory. One Niche review sums it up: "The campus atmosphere is friendly, with a high level of student involvement."
The 6-year graduation rate is a modest 48%, though RMC boasts better-than-peer earnings for graduates. Alumni median income is $49,036 five years out, per one source, while another cites $36,498 at the one-year mark. The college was recently named an Affordable College of Distinction, partly for positive career outcomes. Retention data is sparse, but the focus on professional programs (like aviation and health sciences) likely drives post-grad employment.
Here’s the sell: The average financial aid package is $26,500, slashing the sticker price to $19,173–$26,400 per year (sources vary). About 66% of students receive aid, including need-based grants. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator is pushed hard on the website, and the financial aid office’s phone number (406-657-1026) is front-and-center—a nod to the price-sensitive demographic RMC serves.
Rocky Mountain College is for practical dreamers: students who want a close-knit community (think dorm bonfires and professors who know your name) but also career-ready degrees in fields like aviation and health sciences. The Montana setting is a character in itself—outdoor adventures are baked into campus life. It’s not prestigious, but with 70% admission odds and aid covering most costs, it’s a low-risk, high-reward option for regional students or outdoorsy types seeking a small-college experience without debt nightmares.