Best Colleges in Montana 2025
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
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 Best Research Universities in Montana 2025 #1 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2024 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Montana 2025 #1 Best Graduate Schools in Montana 2025
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
46%
Student body
12K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Montana
Cost of Degree: $8,152Expenses: $17,076Starting Salary: $43,300Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Montana known for?
University of Montana’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Earth Sciences
- Chemistry
- Philosophy
- Biology
- Literature
- History
- Education
- Communications
- Law
- Political Science
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
- #2 Best Research Universities in Montana 2025 #2 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2024 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Montana 2025 #2 Best Graduate Schools in Montana 2025
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: $8,083Expenses: $18,588Starting Salary: $48,900Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat 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
- #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: $33,252Expenses: $15,046Starting Salary: $47,100Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Rocky Mountain College known for?
Rocky Mountain College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- History
- Medical
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Education
- Mathematics
- Earth Sciences
- Physics
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #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
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
29%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Montana State University Billings
Cost of Degree: $6,706Expenses: $16,990Starting Salary: $38,700Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Montana State University Billings known for?
Montana State University Billings’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Psychology
- History
- Education
- Sociology
- Computer Science
- Literature
- Medical
- Political Science
- Business
- Communications
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
- #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
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
36%
Graduation
45%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Montana Western
Cost of Degree: $6,431Expenses: $15,282Starting Salary: $36,700Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat 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
- #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
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: $29,018Expenses: $15,500Starting Salary: $38,600Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat 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
- #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
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: $40,352Expenses: $15,692Starting Salary: $49,200Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Carroll College known for?
Carroll College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Nursing
- Literature
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
- Medical
- Philosophy
Most Influential Alumni
- #3 Best Graduate Schools in Montana 2025 #5 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2024 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Montana 2025 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Montana 2024
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: $7,993Expenses: $16,838Starting Salary: $52,100Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat 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
- #6 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2024 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Montana 2025 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Montana 2024 #7 Best Small Colleges in Montana 2025
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
29%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Montana State University–Northern
Cost of Degree: $5,955Expenses: $11,626Starting Salary: $40,400Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat 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
Montana’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest
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.
