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Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Montana

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2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Montana

22 Schools Ranked
$8,546 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$19,614 Avg Student Debt

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right 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. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

The Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Montana ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 22 schools in Montana to see which associate degree programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

#1

Flathead Valley Community College

Kalispell, Montana
267 Total Awards
$6,721 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,242 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Flathead Valley Community College to be the most popular school for students who want to pursue a associate degree in Montana. Located in Kalispell, Montana, the small public school awarded 267 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $6,721 in tuition and fees if they attend Flathead Valley Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,643. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,242 in student loans. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.

Flathead Valley Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 30% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Flathead Valley Community College

#2

The University of Montana

Missoula, Montana
256 Total Awards
$7,492 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,709 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Montana. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Montana list. UM is a fairly large public school situated in Missoula, Montana. It awarded 256 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Students from Montana who attend UM full time pay an average of $7,492 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $28,476. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,709 in student loans. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.

UM does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on The University of Montana

223 Total Awards
$3,450 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you attend Great Falls College Montana State University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Montana list. Great Falls College Montana State University is a small public school situated in Great Falls, Montana. It awarded 223 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from Montana pay an average of $3,450 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Great Falls College Montana State University. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,824. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Great Falls College Montana State University. In fact, around 63% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Great Falls College Montana State University Report

221 Total Awards
$6,022 Average Tuition & Fees
$20,000 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Montana State University - Billings. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Montana list. Montana State University - Billings is a public institution located in Billings, Montana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 221 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Students from Montana who attend Montana State University - Billings full time pay an average of $6,022 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $19,352. On average, associate degree students take out $20,000 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Montana State University - Billings. During the 2019-2020 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

171 Total Awards
$3,477 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,735 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 22 schools in Montana that were part of this year’s ranking, Helena College University of Montana landed the # 5 spot on the list. Helena College is located in Helena, Montana and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 171 associate degrees to qualified students.

Full-time students from Montana pay an average of $3,477 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Helena College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,570. Associate Degree recipients from Helena College accumulate an average of $21,735 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Helena College. In fact, around 40% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Helena College University of Montana

128 Total Awards
$5,726 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #6, The University of Montana - Western did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Montana Western is located in Dillon, Montana and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 128 associate degrees to qualified students.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Montana Western is $5,726. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,190. Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Montana Western. In 2019-2020 about 74% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on The University of Montana - Western

#7

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana
117 Total Awards
$7,528 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,579 Avg Student Debt

Montana State University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Montana list. Located in Bozeman, Montana, the fairly large public school awarded 117 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MSU Bozeman is $7,528. Out-of-state students pay an average of $28,264. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,579 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.

MSU Bozeman does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 96% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Montana State University Report

116 Total Awards
$5,955 Average Tuition & Fees
$20,034 Avg Student Debt

Montana State University - Northern landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Montana State University - Northern is located in Havre, Montana and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 116 associate degrees to qualified students.

In-state students pay an average of $5,955 in tuition and fees if they attend Montana State University - Northern full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $18,665. On average, associate degree students take out $20,034 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 34% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Montana State University - Northern. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Montana State University - Northern Report

#9

Miles Community College

Miles City, Montana
99 Total Awards
$6,090 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,682 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, Miles Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Miles Community College is a public institution located in Miles City, Montana. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 99 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Miles Community College is $6,090. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,840. On average, associate degree students take out $22,682 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Miles Community College. In fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#10

Salish Kootenai College

Pablo, Montana
79 Total Awards
$6,399 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,860 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #10, Salish Kootenai College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Located in Pablo, Montana, the very small public school awarded 79 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

Students from Montana who attend SKC full time pay an average of $6,399 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,583. On average, associate degree students take out $21,860 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that SKC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 77% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Salish Kootenai College Report

#11

Blackfeet Community College

Browning, Montana
68 Total Awards
$3,610 Average Tuition & Fees

Blackfeet Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Montana list. Located in Browning, Montana, the very small private not-for-profit school awarded 68 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees at BCC is $3,610. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Blackfeet Community College Report

#12

Dawson Community College

Glendive, Montana
66 Total Awards
$5,745 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,115 Avg Student Debt

Dawson Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Montana list. This very small public school is located in Glendive, Montana, and it awarded 66 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $5,745 in tuition and fees if they attend DCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,445. On average, associate degree students take out $11,115 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at DCC. In fact, around 70% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Dawson Community College Report

52 Total Awards
$3,589 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,711 Avg Student Debt

Highlands College of Montana Tech ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Montana list. Highlands College of Montana Tech is located in Butte, Montana and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 52 associate degrees to qualified students.

In-state students pay an average of $3,589 in tuition and fees if they attend Highlands College of Montana Tech full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,391. Associate Degree recipients from Highlands College of Montana Tech accumulate an average of $16,711 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 27% of those degree recipients were women.

Online courses are available at Highlands College of Montana Tech, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 36% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Highlands College of Montana Tech Report

#14

Fort Peck Community College

Poplar, Montana
44 Total Awards
$2,250 Average Tuition & Fees

Fort Peck Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #14 on the list. Fort Peck Community College is a public institution located in Poplar, Montana. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 44 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Fort Peck Community College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $2,250. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Fort Peck Community College. In fact, around 1% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Fort Peck Community College Report

#15

Little Big Horn College

Crow Agency, Montana
41 Total Awards
$3,200 Average Tuition & Fees

Little Big Horn College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Montana ranking. Little Big Horn College is located in Crow Agency, Montana and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 associate degrees to qualified students.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $3,200 to cover tuition and fees at Little Big Horn College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.

Full Little Big Horn College Report

#16

Aaniiih Nakoda College

Harlem, Montana
25 Total Awards
$2,410 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #16, Aaniiih Nakoda College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Harlem, Montana is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 25 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees at Aaniiih Nakoda College is $2,410. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Around 44% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Aaniiih Nakoda College

#17

Stone Child College

Box Elder, Montana
23 Total Awards
$2,645 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #17, Stone Child College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Located in Box Elder, Montana, the very small public school handed out 23 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

SCC does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $2,645. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Around 74% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Stone Child College

#18

Chief Dull Knife College

Lame Deer, Montana
8 Total Awards
$2,260 Average Tuition & Fees

Chief Dull Knife College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Montana ranking. Chief Dull Knife College is located in Lame Deer, Montana and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 associate degrees to qualified students.

Chief Dull Knife College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $2,260. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Around 38% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Chief Dull Knife College

#19

University of Providence

Great Falls, Montana
2 Total Awards
$26,662 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Providence came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Montana ranking. University of Providence is located in Great Falls, Montana and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 associate degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees at University of Providence is $26,662. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Around 100% of those degree recipients were women.

Since University of Providence is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Read More…

#20

Rocky Mountain College

Billings, Montana
1 Total Awards
$31,335 Average Tuition & Fees

Rocky Mountain College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Located in Billings, Montana, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 1 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

Rocky does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $31,335. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 100% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Rocky. During the 2019-2020 year, about 21% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#21

Carroll College

Helena, Montana
$38,106 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #21, Carroll College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree.

Carroll Montana does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $38,106. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.

Carroll Montana does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 55% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Carroll College Report

$7,346 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,711 Avg Student Debt

Montana Technological University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list.

In-state students pay an average of $7,346 in tuition and fees if they attend Montana Tech full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $22,509. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,711 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Montana Tech. During the 2019-2020 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Montana Technological University

Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 22 schools only.

References

  • 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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