Best Colleges in Montana

All 21 colleges in Montana, ranked by overall quality and led by Carroll College, Montana Technological University and Montana State University. 16 public, 5 private. median out-of-state tuition $12,911. lowest in-state tuition $1,960 at Chief Dull Knife College. Each school below shows its acceptance rate, tuition and average SAT.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best college in Montana?

Based on our overall rankings, Carroll College is the top-ranked college in Montana. Other strong choices include Montana Technological University, Montana State University, The University of Montana-Western.

How many colleges are in Montana?

We track 21 four-year colleges in Montana, including 16 public institutions and 5 private ones.

How much does college cost in Montana?

The average out-of-state tuition across colleges we track in Montana is approximately $12,911 per year. In-state students at public schools typically pay significantly less, and most schools offer financial aid that reduces the effective cost.

What are the best public colleges in Montana?

The best public colleges in Montana include Montana Technological University, Montana State University, The University of Montana-Western. Public universities typically offer lower tuition for in-state residents.

What are the best private colleges in Montana?

The best private colleges in Montana include Carroll College, Rocky Mountain College, University of Providence. Private colleges may offer more generous financial aid despite higher sticker prices.

How are these Montana rankings determined?

Our overall rankings are calculated independently from publicly available data including U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS, and aggregated student-experience signals — not from US News or any other publication.

1. 1. Carroll College — Helena, MT · 70.9% acceptance · SAT 1,200 · $41,484 tuition · 69% grad rate
2. 2. Montana Technological University — Butte, MT · 91.1% acceptance · SAT 1,126 · $26,150 tuition · 58% grad rate
3. 3. Montana State University — Bozeman, MT · 82.1% acceptance · SAT 1,183 · $33,287 tuition · 57% grad rate
4. 4. The University of Montana-Western — Dillon, MT · 99.8% acceptance · $20,130 tuition · 51% grad rate
5. 5. Rocky Mountain College — Billings, MT · 69.6% acceptance · SAT 1,083 · $35,582 tuition · 48% grad rate
6. 6. Miles Community College — Miles City, MT · $10,626 tuition · 55% grad rate
7. 7. The University of Montana — Missoula, MT · 95.9% acceptance · SAT 1,190 · $33,671 tuition · 48% grad rate
8. 8. Montana State University-Northern — Havre, MT · $21,875 tuition · 41% grad rate
9. 9. University of Providence — Great Falls, MT · 50.3% acceptance · SAT 980 · $30,448 tuition · 36% grad rate
10. 10. Stone Child College — Box Elder, MT · $3,610 tuition · 34% grad rate
11. 11. Dawson Community College — Glendive, MT · $9,810 tuition · 45% grad rate
12. 12. Salish Kootenai College — Pablo, MT · $11,583 tuition · 28% grad rate
13. 13. Blackfeet Community College — Browning, MT · $3,610 tuition · 37% grad rate
14. 14. Montana State University Billings — Billings, MT · $22,897 tuition · 30% grad rate
15. 15. Great Falls College Montana State University — Great Falls, MT · $12,911 tuition · 34% grad rate
16. 16. Flathead Valley Community College — Kalispell, MT · $11,659 tuition · 29% grad rate
17. 17. Aaniiih Nakoda College — Harlem, MT · $3,080 tuition · 34% grad rate
18. 18. Chief Dull Knife College — Lame Deer, MT · $1,960 tuition · 13% grad rate
19. 19. Little Big Horn College — Crow Agency, MT · $3,200 tuition · 11% grad rate
20. 20. Fort Peck Community College — Poplar, MT · $2,250 tuition · 17% grad rate
21. 21. Montana Bible College — Billings, MT · $14,640 tuition

Best Colleges in Montana on PickACampus