Public
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Butte, Montana
Highlands College of Montana Tech — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
3.03Avg GPA
$16,138Annual Cost
$54,329Grad Salary
15.6%Pell Grant
Avg GPA
3.03
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Avg Net Price
$12,184
Need-Based Aid
15.6% receive Pell
Highlands College of Montana Tech is a public institution that specializes in delivering high-quality, career-focused technical training. By prioritizing hands-on learning in fields such as healthcare, construction, and manufacturing, the college ensures that students acquire the practical expertise demanded by modern employers. Its commitment to industry-aligned curricula, career readiness, and student support makes it a pragmatic and highly effective choice for those seeking an efficient path to a new or enhanced career.
Highlands College of Montana Tech Acceptance Rate
Admission at Highlands College of Montana Tech is inclusive by design. 100% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier. A solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.03 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.83 – 3.02
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.58
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Highlands College of Montana Tech GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Highlands College of Montana Tech is 3.03. That makes admissions here moderately selective. Most admitted students carry a blend of A's, B's, and the occasional C.
A stronger SAT or ACT score can comfortably offset a GPA on the lower end of this range.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.23–3.43.Highlands College of Montana Tech GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.03 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.83 – 3.02
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.63 – 2.82
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.62
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test-optional for admission; ACT/SAT still used for math/writing placement and merit scholarship qualification; Montana Tech test codes: ACT 2418, SAT 4487
- Application deadlines: August 15 (fall), January 3 (spring) - but rolling registration opens in April, so early application is strongly recommended; FAFSA priority deadline February 1, school code 002531
- About 90% of Montana Tech and Highlands undergraduates receive scholarships or grants; Oredigger Merit scholarships are automatic based on GPA/test scores, sent starting in November through March 1
- Highlands students access the same housing, dining, and clubs as main Montana Tech campus (15-minute drive/bus between campuses); most Highlands programs directly transfer into Montana Tech bachelor's degrees; separate non-degree workforce development track (CDL, high school CNA) does not require formal admission
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Highlands College of Montana Tech
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Highlands College of Montana Tech's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Highlands College of Montana Tech Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Highlands College of Montana Tech. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Highlands College of Montana Tech Without SAT or ACT?
Highlands College of Montana Tech's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Highlands College of Montana Tech
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Highlands College of Montana Tech provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Submit Test Scores Even Though They're Optional - They Drive Both Placement and Scholarships
Highlands is test-optional for the admission decision itself, but ACT/SAT scores are still used for course placement and scholarship eligibility, including the automatic Oredigger Merit scholarship, which is awarded based on GPA and test scores submitted at the time of application. Skipping the test doesn't hurt your admission chances, but it can silently reduce your merit scholarship offer since the automatic award calculation has less data to work with. Send scores directly using Montana Tech's codes (ACT 2418, SAT 4487) even if you're confident you'll be admitted regardless.
Leverage the Direct Transfer Pathway to a Montana Tech Bachelor's - Structure Your Highlands Courses Accordingly
Most Highlands trades/technical associate programs are directly transferable into bachelor's programs on Montana Tech's main campus - this is a structural articulation, not an informal "credits might transfer" situation common at many two-year colleges. If you might want a bachelor's later, say so explicitly to your academic advisor when you register, since course selection within your Highlands program can be optimized toward specific main-campus majors (engineering technology, for example) from day one rather than requiring you to retake foundational courses later.
Time Your Application Around the August 15 / January 3 Deadlines - But Apply Long Before That
While Highlands' formal deadlines are August 15 (fall) and January 3 (spring), the college explicitly recommends against waiting that long, since registration for new fall students opens in April and continues through summer - meaning popular trades programs and scholarship pools fill on a rolling basis well before the formal deadline. Apply as soon as applications open the summer before your senior year, and complete your FAFSA by the February 1 priority deadline specifically, since financial aid award timing is separate from and earlier than the admissions deadline.
Ask Specifically About Highlands' Workforce Development Programs If You Just Need a Fast Credential
Highlands operates certain workforce development programs - CDL training and high school CNA training among them - that do NOT require formal admission to Montana Tech at all. If your goal is a fast, narrow credential rather than a full associate degree, ask admissions directly whether your target program falls under degree-seeking Highlands admission or the separate non-degree workforce development track, since the application, cost, and timeline for these two paths are entirely different and are easy to conflate on the general website.
Expert Insight:
Highlands and main-campus Montana Tech share a single application portal and admissions office, which leads some students to apply for the wrong track by mistake - main-campus STEM bachelor's programs versus Highlands' hands-on trades/technical associate programs have different course prerequisites and career outcomes. Before submitting, confirm with admissions@mtech.edu that your application is specifically coded for a Highlands program if that's your intent, since a misrouted application can delay your placement into program-specific orientation and course registration.
Highlands College of Montana Tech Profile
Full Name
Highlands College of Montana Tech
City
Butte
State
Montana
ZIP Code
59701
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a Highlands College of Montana Tech Degree Worth It?
Whether Highlands College of Montana Tech is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $44,200, and graduates see a 4.12% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Highlands College of Montana Tech Cost?
Listed tuition runs $16,138/year at Highlands College of Montana Tech. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $12,184.
At Highlands College of Montana Tech, 15.6% receive a Pell Grant and 20.9% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Highlands College of Montana Tech on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Highlands College of Montana Tech Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Highlands College of Montana Tech graduates report a median income of $54,329, about 34% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at Highlands College of Montana Tech
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Highlands College of Montana Tech Admissions
Highlands College of Montana Tech graduates earn a moderate median salary of $54,329/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Highlands College of Montana Tech is relatively affordable, around $16,138/year.
15.6% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Highlands College of Montana Tech skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
The average GPA of admitted Highlands College of Montana Tech students is 3.03, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.73 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Highlands College of Montana Tech. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.63 or below makes admission tougher at Highlands College of Montana Tech, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.