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2023 Best Schools in Montana

11 Schools Ranked
$40,686 Average Earnings
$22,660 Avg Student Debt

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Schools in Montana ranking. Our analysis looked at 11 schools in Montana to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in Montana

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

University of Providence

Great Falls, Montana
$49,532 Average Earnings
$21,640 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named University of Providence the best school in Montana for students working on their degree.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,640 in student loans. During the early years of their career, University of Providence graduates make an average of $49,532 annually.

Full University of Providence Report

$63,042 Average Earnings
$22,903 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Montana Technological University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Montana.

Degree recipients from Montana Tech accumulate an average of $22,903 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Montana Tech graduates make an average of $63,042 annually.

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#3

Carroll College

Helena, Montana
$33,212 Average Earnings
$23,566 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Carroll College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Montana.

Degree recipients from Carroll Montana accumulate an average of $23,566 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Carroll Montana graduates make an average of $33,212 annually.

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#4

Rocky Mountain College

Billings, Montana
$47,324 Average Earnings

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Rocky Mountain College is a great place for students.

After graduating from Rocky, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,324 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Rocky Mountain College

$33,243 Average Earnings
$24,828 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend The University of Montana - Western. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Schools in Montana list.

Degree recipients from Montana Western accumulate an average of $24,828 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Montana Western graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,243 during the early year of their career.

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#6

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana
$42,198 Average Earnings
$24,435 Avg Student Debt

Montana State University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,435 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $305 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from MSU Bozeman, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,198 during the early years of their career.

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$43,349 Average Earnings
$23,100 Avg Student Debt

Montana State University - Northern did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #7 on the list.

On average, students take out $23,100 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Montana State University - Northern graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,349 during the early year of their career.

Full Montana State University - Northern Report

$41,648 Average Earnings
$23,399 Avg Student Debt

Montana State University - Billings did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #8 on the list.

On average, students take out $23,399 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Montana State University - Billings graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,648 during the early year of their career.

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#9

Flathead Valley Community College

Kalispell, Montana
$36,219 Average Earnings
$17,064 Avg Student Debt

Flathead Valley Community College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,064 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Flathead Valley Community College graduates make an average of $36,219 annually.

Read full report on Flathead Valley Community College

#10

The University of Montana

Missoula, Montana
$38,416 Average Earnings
$25,131 Avg Student Debt

The University of Montana did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #10 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,131 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $275.After graduating from UM, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,416 during the early years of their career.

Full The University of Montana Report

$37,167 Average Earnings
$21,735 Avg Student Debt

Helena College University of Montana ranked #11 on this year’s Best Schools in Montana list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,735 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Helena College graduates make an average of $37,167 annually.

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Best Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 11 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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