Best Private Colleges in Montana 2024
Private colleges, unlike large public institutions, can be a great option for students wanting a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Here is our list of the best private colleges in Montana.
Best Private Colleges in Montana
- Rocky Mountain College 13 to 1
- Carroll College 12 to 1
- University of Providence 7 to 1
- Carroll College $39,028
- Rocky Mountain College $32,252
- University of Providence $27,606
- Rocky Mountain College $30,736
- University of Providence $24,237
- Carroll College $13,302
- University of Providence 7 to 1
- Carroll College 12 to 1
- Rocky Mountain College 13 to 1
- University of Providence $27,606
- Rocky Mountain College $32,252
- Carroll College $39,028
- Carroll College $13,302
- University of Providence $24,237
- Rocky Mountain College $30,736
Colleges and Universities in Montana
Montana has 21 higher learning institutions, including 16 public universities and colleges. The largest is Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman. With an affordable tuition of $7,000, MSU enrolls just over 16,000 students. Students can earn their degree in fields like forestry, wildlife biology, theatre, and creative writing. The state is also home to five private schools, three of which are religiously affiliated.
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Carroll College is a Roman Catholic liberal arts college with just over 1,000 students in attendance. The tuition runs about $35,000, the most expensive in the state, and it is located on a hilltop in Helena. Students can choose from 18 schools in Montana with tuitions of $7,000 or less, making Montana an affordable state to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. The state also offers loan repayment programs, including the Montana NHSC Student Loan Repayment Program, which grants up to $15,000 per year for two years for those in health-related fields.
Hiking through Glacier National Park, exploring the Northern Great Plains, and fishing from one of its many lakes and rivers are just some of the ways to enjoy the natural bounty that Montana has to offer. Visitors and locals can also drive Going-to-the-Sun-Road, a 52-mile highway that ventures through the National Park and crosses into Canada. No matter the outdoor hobby, prospective students are sure to love the scenic backdrop of The Treasure State as they earn their degree.
Check out the best programs Montana has to offer while enjoying the wide-open spaces of Big Sky Country.
What are Montana’s Colleges & Universities?
- 2 Research Universities
- 7 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 3 Graduate Schools
- 6 Public Colleges & Universities
- 3 Private Colleges & Universities
- 3 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 7 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 6 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 2 Community Colleges
- 7 Online Colleges
Montana’s Best Overall
What is the difference between public and private colleges?
Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.
Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.
This list is composed entirely of private colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 3 private universities in Montana. To be included in the list below of the best private universities in Montana, schools must be fully accredited, private, non-profit institution, and must offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees.
Best Private Colleges in Montana
- #1 Best Small Colleges in Montana 2025 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Montana 2025 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Montana 2024 #3 Best Colleges in Montana 2025
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
- #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 #5 Best Small Colleges in Montana 2025
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: $40,352Expenses: $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
- #10 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2024 #2 Best Christian Colleges in Montana 2025 #4 Best Small Colleges in Montana 2025 #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
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: $29,018Expenses: $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
Montana’s Best Private Colleges in Your Area 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.
Check out our directory of private colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top private schools in every state.
