Montana is a land of stunning natural beauty, friendly people, and diverse opportunities for higher education.
Students who choose to live and study in Montana can experience the wilderness of America as only Big Sky Country can provide it. From the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains, from prairies to badlands, Montana is as varied as it is inspiring.
The state ranks 48th in the nation for population density and 4th for land area, meaning that Montana is a perfect choice for students who thrive on wide open spaces and endless possibilities. Cities like Billings, Helena, and Bozeman are hubs of warm Montana culture, and even city-dwellers are never far from the spectacular landscapes and unbeatable recreational opportunities of Montana's great outdoors.
Montana's economy is based primarily on agriculture, ranching, mining, and lumber. Health services and government jobs are another major component of the state's economy. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Glacier National Park, and Yellowstone National Park are some of the biggest draws for Montana's fastest growing sector: tourism.
Related: Top Online Schools in Montana
Both graduate and undergraduate students who are interested in earning their degrees in Montana have an abundance of strong choices, including the five public institutions of the Montana University System, seven tribal colleges, and three private, nonprofit colleges (including Carroll College, Rocky Mountain College, and the University of Providence).
Accredited Online College Programs
Explore our featured online programs and find the right match for you today.
What are the best colleges in Montana?
We've carefully assessed the colleges and universities in Montana to bring you the following list of the best higher education institutions in the Treasure State. To provide an accurate ranking, we look at two primary factors: institutional excellence and student success. The institutional excellence rank is assigned based on graduation rate, endowment size, incoming student test scores, student-to-faculty ratio, institutional reputation, and other important data points. Student success is measured through average student indebtedness after graduation, the projected early career salary for graduates, the amount of financial aid available, and typical tuition costs. Data is drawn from reputable sources including the National Center for Education Statistics' IPEDS database, individual college websites, PayScale, and U.S. News & World Report.
Rankings
See our rankings methodology page.
