Best Colleges in Montana 2025

Badge for BEST IN MONTANA COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski
Published:
Updated:

Here are the best colleges and universities in Montana. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Montana’s top institutions emphasize research in areas like agriculture, engineering, and environmental science. The university is a Carnegie-classified research institution, providing students with hands-on learning opportunities and access to cutting-edge technology.
  • Many Montana colleges are known for their small class sizes and personalized attention from faculty. This fosters a supportive learning environment where students can thrive both academically and socially.
  • Many of the best colleges in Montana are located near some of the nation’s most stunning natural landscapes, including Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. Students have abundant opportunities for hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities, which greatly enhance the overall college experience.

Best Colleges in Montana in 2025

  1. University of Montana
  2. Montana State University
  3. Rocky Mountain College
    +1
  4. Montana State University Billings
    +1
  5. University of Montana Western
    –2
  6. University of Providence
    +2
  7. Carroll College
    –1
  8. Montana Technological University
    –1
  9. Montana State University–Northern

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top schools in our ranking of the best colleges in Montana saw a fair amount of shuffling. The University of Providence gained the most ranking positions as the university has undergone a $25 million campus expansion, which includes the construction of a new University Center, providing updated classrooms, collaboration spaces, and a multipurpose conference facility. This center is intended to enhance the student learning environment while also serving the Great Falls community as a hub for business and academic events.

Additionally, renovations to the Student Union and the creation of new student activity spaces further emphasize the university’s focus on improving the student experience, with updated facilities designed for learning, relaxation, and community engagement

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

We’ve identified 9 colleges and universities in Montana that meet our criteria. This list of the top colleges in Montana below focuses on schools that offer bachelor’s degrees. The ranking features fully accredited public and private colleges and universities in Montana.

Best Colleges in Montana

  1. #1

    University of Montana

    Missoula , MT
    #1 Best Research Universities in Montana 2025 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Montana 2025 #1 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2024 #1 Best Graduate Schools in Montana 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    12K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Montana

    Cost of Degree: $8,152
    Expenses: $17,076
    Starting Salary: $43,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Montana known for?

    University of Montana’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of Montana’s Online Degrees

    BA in Art
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Media Arts
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communicative Sciences And Disorders
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  2. #2

    Montana State University

    Bozeman , MT
    #2 Best Research Universities in Montana 2025 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Montana 2025 #2 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2024 #2 Best Graduate Schools in Montana 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    73%

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    19K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1180/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Montana State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,083
    Expenses: $18,588
    Starting Salary: $48,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Montana State University known for?

    Montana State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Montana State University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Liberal Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Quaternity
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  3. #3

    Rocky Mountain College

    Billings , MT
    #1 Best Private Colleges in Montana 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in Montana 2025 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Montana 2025 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Montana 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $32K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1100/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Rocky Mountain College

    Cost of Degree: $33,252
    Expenses: $15,046
    Starting Salary: $47,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Rocky Mountain College known for?

    Rocky Mountain College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  4. #4

    Montana State University Billings

    Billings , MT
    #2 Best Small Colleges in Montana 2025 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Montana 2025 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Montana 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    29%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Montana State University Billings

    Cost of Degree: $6,706
    Expenses: $16,990
    Starting Salary: $38,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Montana State University Billings known for?

    Montana State University Billings’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Montana State University Billings’s Online Degrees

    BSBA in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Accounting
    • General Business
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communication
    Degree Concentrations
    • Organization
    • Media Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSLS in Liberal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Relations
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSHA in Health Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  6. #5

    University of Montana Western

    Dillon , MT
    #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Montana 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2024 #3 Best Small Colleges in Montana 2025 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    36%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Montana Western

    Cost of Degree: $6,431
    Expenses: $15,282
    Starting Salary: $36,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Montana Western known for?

    University of Montana Western’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of Montana Western’s Online Degrees

    BS in Early Childhood Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  7. #6

    University of Providence

    Great Falls , MT
    #10 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2024 #2 Best Christian Colleges in Montana 2025 #3 Best Private Colleges in Montana 2024 #4 Best Small Colleges in Montana 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $28K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    730/19

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Providence

    Cost of Degree: $29,018
    Expenses: $15,500
    Starting Salary: $38,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Providence known for?

    University of Providence’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of Providence’s Online Degrees

    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing: RN To BSN
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  8. #7

    Carroll College

    Helena , MT
    #2 Best Private Colleges in Montana 2024 #3 Best Christian Colleges in Montana 2025 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Montana 2024 #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    70%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1140/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Carroll College

    Cost of Degree: $40,352
    Expenses: $15,692
    Starting Salary: $49,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Carroll College known for?

    Carroll College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  9. #8

    Montana Technological University

    Butte , MT
    #3 Best Graduate Schools in Montana 2025 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Montana 2025 #5 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2024 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Montana 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1185/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Montana Technological University

    Cost of Degree: $7,993
    Expenses: $16,838
    Starting Salary: $52,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Montana Technological University known for?

    Montana Technological University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Montana Technological University’s Online Degrees

    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  10. #9

    Montana State University–Northern

    Havre , MT
    #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Montana 2025 #6 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2024 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Montana 2024 #7 Best Small Colleges in Montana 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    29%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Montana State University–Northern

    Cost of Degree: $5,955
    Expenses: $11,626
    Starting Salary: $40,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Montana State University–Northern known for?

    Montana State University–Northern’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Montana State University–Northern’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Business Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Trades Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Community Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
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Montana’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology
2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. Montana State University
  2. University of Montana Western
  3. Carroll College
  4. University of Montana
  5. Montana State University–Northern
  7. Montana State University Billings
  8. Montana Technological University
  9. Rocky Mountain College
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