Best Online Colleges In Montana

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In Montana, your educational opportunities are as boundless as the skies for which the state is known.

Best Online Colleges in Montana Badge

Whoever you are, the right online college is out there for you. A young student who prefers the freedom of a laptop to the discipline of a classroom can earn their degree at their own pace. An adult can gain valuable knowledge and certifications without shuffling their busy schedule.

Whatever drives you to achieve and succeed, there is an online program out there that will fit you and your busy lifestyle without sacrificing quality. Many of these online courses are run by traditional brick and mortar institutions. This allows online students access to many of the resources provided by a traditional school, including a campus community, an alumni network, library resources, and more. This also allows students to take traditional classes as they see fit.

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What kind of online degree can you earn in Montana?

You've already done yourself a favor by narrowing down your options to online programs. Montana itself is home to several phenomenal schools, and has a long tradition of quality education - this extends to online learning.

From religious universities started as seminaries, to technical colleges founded to train farmers in agricultural sciences, Montana's higher education system is world class. You really can't go wrong in this state.

How much do people earn with an online degree in Montana?

Last year the average income for Montana residents was $50,027, according to the Department of Numbers. However, that takes into account folks who haven't earned a college degree. So in actuality, your average income will likely be much higher than $50k per year.

Your salary will also vary depending on which career you pursue. For example, some schools on this list emphasize Montana's booming mining and engineering industry. If this is the route you pursue, you'll be catching a state-wide wave that will continue to yield lucrative results.

What can you do with an online degree in Montana?

Online education can be the gateway into a rewarding career - both personally and financially. The online program options in Montana will be just the beginning for you. If you're still unsure of your direction, perhaps a good start would be to consider some of top industries in your state:

An online degree in any of these fields will be a one-way ticket to success! Beyond the quality schools, Montana itself is full of gorgeous natural vistas, incredible history, and a booming 21st-century economy. There has never been a better time to equip yourself with the knowledge needed to thrive in the modern world!

What are the best online colleges in Montana?

Our rankings are determined using several carefully balanced factors. Among these are student satisfaction, return on investment, and school quality. We take data from U.S. News & World Reports, The National Center for Educational statistics, and as well as reports from students and alumni of the schools we review. We also consider the average salary of a graduate as compared to the price of tuition. After analyzing these factors, we create a ranking that will empower you to choose your future.

Rankings

See our rankings methodology page.

  1. Montana Tech of the University of Montana
    Location

    Butte, MT

    Tuition

    $11764

    Overview

    Montana Tech is a school with a long tradition of academic excellence. Founded as a research institute intended to study engineering and Earth Science to complement the state’s booming mining industry, the school soon grew into a premier public university. It now offers degrees in the liberal arts, social sciences, and technical training, as well as its historical engineering and science program.

    Features

    When it comes to distance learning, Montana Tech is equipped to meet your needs. The school uses a blend of fully online classes, hybrid classes, and video conferencing classes. Aside from stand-alone online courses, you’ll find five fully online programs at Montana Tech: 

    • M.S. in Industrial Hygiene
    • M.S. in Project Engineering and Management
    • Healthcare Informatics Technology Certificate
    • Healthcare Informatics Graduate Certificate
    • B.S. in Nursing Completion (Post-Licensure)

    Notables

    Montana Tech uses Moodle, a sleek and easy to use website, to manage its online courses. With Moodle, a student can manage their coursework, quizzes, tests, and reading material with ease. Students also have access to virtual mentors. These advisors are there to guide students through their educational journey. Montana Tech is rated 6th nationwide in terms of graduate salary earnings by the Washington Post. Its computer science degrees were ranked 8th highest earning in the nation.

  2. Montana State University
    Location

    Bozeman, MT

    Tuition

    $14416

    Overview

    Montana State University was founded as an agricultural university, but got a head start in terms of offering a broad liberal arts curriculum. In 1893, Augustus Ryon, the first president of the college, insisted on offering a wide variety of degrees and classes at a time when most state schools focused purely on agriculture. Continuing this legacy of forward thinking and innovative education, MSU provides a wide variety of online courses .

    Features

    Montana State University’s online courses are numerous and diverse, nearly guaranteeing that there will be a course that suits you.  For students who are returning after a break in their education, MSU offers degree completion in Liberal Studies. MSU also offers a wide variety of online graduate degrees, such as education degrees in many subjects, Financial Planning, and Environmental Sciences. Its online graduate certificates include:

    • Native American Studies
    • Addiction Counseling
    • Nursing

    Notables

    At Montana State University, you’ll have the opportunity to access your courses through Brightspace, a modern and efficient website that makes use of the latest technology to maximize your educational experience. On Brightspace, you’ll be able to talk to teachers, collaborate with fellow students, and manage your coursework all from the comfort of your own home. 

  3. The University of Montana
    Location

    Missoula, MT

    Tuition

    $12581

    Overview

    Located on what Rolling Stone magazine called “the most scenic [campus] in America,” The University of Montana (known affectionately by its students and alumni as “UM”) is the flagship school of the Montana University System. Founded in 1893 as the first public university in Montana, UM’s history stretches back longer than that of the state itself. It’s no wonder that 28 UM students have received the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, a highly coveted scholarship awarded to the top scholars in the country. 

    Features

    Offering 19 fully online degrees, your options at the University of Montana are virtually unlimited. The University of Montana offers stellar undergraduate programs in both arts and sciences, such as a B.A. in Media Arts and a A.A.S. in energy technology. It also offers minors in Anthropology and Communication Studies. Its many graduate offerings include master’s degrees in the following:

    • Public Administration
    • Music Education
    • Public Health

    Notables

    Online students have full access to the Mansfield Library digital collection, as well as a suite of advisors standing by to help them achieve their dreams. Like Montana Tech, the University of Montana uses Moodle to seamlessly integrate 21st-century technology into a rich history of academic excellence.

  4. The University of Montana-Western
    Location

    Dillon, MT

    Tuition

    $10503

    Overview

    Although it only recently joined the Montana University System in 2000,  the University of Montana-Western is one of the oldest schools in the state. Founded in 1897 as a teacher’s college, UMW quickly evolved into a fully equipped liberal arts college. It’s known for its scheduling flexibility, affordability, and its commitment to and friendliness with Dillon, Montana, the town in which the school is located.

    Features

    The University of Montana Western offers multiple career advancement and certification courses online through their School of Outreach.  These include Software Training (such as word processing, database training, and many more), Hospitality, and Design. UMW is extremely flexible in terms of how and when you take your classes, allowing you to take as little as one course at a time through their “Experience One” program. UMW-School of Outreach also offers teacher certification courses.

    Notables

    The University of Montana-Western uses ed2go, a highly regarded and widely used online educational tool noted for its flexibility and ease of use.

  5. University of Providence
    Location

    Great Falls, MT

    Tuition

    $18336

    Overview

    The University of Providence (Known as the University of Great Falls until July 2017) was founded in 1937 as a joint effort between the Ursuline Nuns and the Sisters of Charity. These two groups of passionate, dedicated individuals founded the Great Falls Junior College for Women. Their legacy continues to this day, and manifests itself in the stellar quality of education one can receive at UP.

    Features

    The University of Providence offers a wide variety of online undergraduate courses. These include B.A.s in varied topics such as Theology and Ministry, Sociology, and Psychology. They also offer graduate programs, such as their MS in Accounting, their graduate degrees in Management, and their master’s degrees in Criminal Justice.

    Notables

    Online students can either set their own pace by using Moodle, or follow a preset pace using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. The University of Providence is a small school, with about 1000 undergraduate students. This allows teachers to provide a level of individual care and attention that ensures your ability to succeed.

  6. Montana State University-Billings
    Location

    Billings, MT

    Tuition

    $11064

    Overview

    With over 240 online courses available, Montana State University-Billings is a phenomenal option for any student looking to expand their potential through online education. Students also have access to the campus library’s online catalogue.

    Features

    Montana State University-Billings offers a wide variety of courses. It offers specifically varied options in the field of business administration, in which it has one associate program and three bachelor programs. It also offers degrees, both graduate and undergraduate, in Public Relations, Health Administration, and Communications.

    Notables

    Montana State University-Billings delivers its top tier online education via D2L. D2L allows you to take quizzes, read course material, and submit assignments online, allowing for a high degree of flexibility and comfort. MSU-Billings also offers online tutoring and academic advisors, ensuring that you’ll have the support you need to advance in your education journey.

  7. Montana State University-Northern
    Location

    Havre, MT

    Tuition

    $10787

    Overview

    Located just north of the Bears Paw Mountains, Montana State University-Northern is a credit to the high quality education offered by the Montana University System. The small size of this school ensures easy access to faculty, who are dedicated to ensuring your success at MSU-Northern. As part of the Montana University System, MSU-Northern offers students a wealth of resources and options designed to help them maximize their learning experience.

    Features

    Montana State University-Northern offers nine online degrees, including BAs in Criminal Justice, Nursing, and Business Administration. It also offers such minors as  Marketing, Small Business Management, and Accounting.

    Notables

    Montana State University Northern offers its courses through D2L, a frequently used and well regarded online education software. Montana State University Northern also offers dual enrollment for High School students, allowing hard working and driven high schoolers to get a head start on their college career.

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