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2023 Most Popular Schools in Montana

28 Schools Ranked
$40,686 Average Earnings
$22,660 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.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Schools in Montana to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 28 schools in Montana to see which ones were the most popular programs 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

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana
3,410 Total Awards
$42,198 Average Earnings
$24,435 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Montana State University the most popular school in Montana for students working on their degree. Bozeman, Montana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,410 students in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $24,435 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $305. During the early years of their career, MSU Bozeman graduates make an average of $42,198 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.

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#2

The University of Montana

Missoula, Montana
3,113 Total Awards
$38,416 Average Earnings
$25,131 Avg Student Debt

The programs at The University of Montana helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in Montana. The University of Montana is a fairly large public school located in Missoula, Montana that handed out 3,113 degrees in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,131 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $275 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UM graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,416 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.

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791 Total Awards
$41,648 Average Earnings
$23,399 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Montana State University - Billings. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Schools in Montana list. This small public school is located in Billings, Montana, and it awarded 791 degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $23,399 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Montana State University - Billings, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,648 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.

Full Montana State University - Billings Report

374 Total Awards
$63,042 Average Earnings
$22,903 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 28 schools in Montana that were part of this year’s ranking, Montana Technological University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Montana Tech is located in Butte, Montana and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 374 degrees to qualified students.

On average, students take out $22,903 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Montana Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $63,042 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 37% were women.

Read full report on Montana Technological University

#5

University of Providence

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

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means University of Providence is a great place for students. Great Falls, Montana is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 357 students in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $21,640 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from University of Providence, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,532 during the early years of their career. Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.

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351 Total Awards
$33,243 Average Earnings
$24,828 Avg Student Debt

The University of Montana - Western landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Located in Dillon, Montana, the small public school awarded 351 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,828 in student loans. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.

Read full report on The University of Montana - Western

315 Total Awards

Great Falls College Montana State University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Montana list. Great Falls College Montana State University is a public institution located in Great Falls, Montana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 315 degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Great Falls College Montana State University Report

#8

Flathead Valley Community College

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

Flathead Valley Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Flathead Valley Community College is a small public school located in Kalispell, Montana that handed out 312 degrees in 2020-2021.

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. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

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#9

Carroll College

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

Carroll College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Montana ranking. Carroll College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Helena, Montana that handed out 308 degrees in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,566 in student loans.After graduating from Carroll Montana, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,212 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

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273 Total Awards
$43,349 Average Earnings
$23,100 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #10, Montana State University - Northern did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Havre, Montana, the small public school awarded 273 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $23,100 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Montana State University - Northern graduates make an average of $43,349 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 45% were women.

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#11

Rocky Mountain College

Billings, Montana
223 Total Awards
$47,324 Average Earnings

Rocky Mountain College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Montana list. Rocky is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Billings, Montana. It awarded 223 degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, Rocky graduates make an average of $47,324 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Rocky Mountain College

210 Total Awards
$37,167 Average Earnings
$21,735 Avg Student Debt

Helena College University of Montana did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #12 on the list. Helena College is located in Helena, Montana and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 210 degrees to qualified students.

On average, students take out $21,735 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Helena College graduates make an average of $37,167 annually. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Helena College University of Montana

#13

Salish Kootenai College

Pablo, Montana
189 Total Awards
$24,002 Average Earnings
$18,656 Avg Student Debt

Salish Kootenai College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. SKC is a public institution located in Pablo, Montana. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 189 degrees in 2020-2021.

Degree recipients from SKC accumulate an average of $18,656 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, SKC graduates make an average of $24,002 annually. Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Salish Kootenai College Report

#14

Miles Community College

Miles City, Montana
126 Total Awards
$57,867 Average Earnings
$22,682 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #14, Miles Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Miles City, Montana is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 126 students in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $22,682 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Miles Community College graduates make an average of $57,867 annually. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Miles Community College Report

123 Total Awards
$61,217 Average Earnings
$11,432 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #15, Highlands College of Montana Tech did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Highlands College of Montana Tech is a very small public school situated in Butte, Montana. It awarded 123 degrees in 2020-2021.

Degree recipients from Highlands College of Montana Tech accumulate an average of $11,432 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Highlands College of Montana Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $61,217 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 15% were women.

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#16

Montana Academy of Salons

Great Falls, Montana
81 Total Awards
$19,446 Average Earnings

Montana Academy of Salons ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Montana list. Located in Great Falls, Montana, the very small private for-profit school handed out 81 degrees in 2020-2021.

Once they receive their degree, Montana Academy graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $19,446 during the early year of their career. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Montana Academy of Salons Report

#17

Blackfeet Community College

Browning, Montana
76 Total Awards

Blackfeet Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Montana list. Blackfeet Community College is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Browning, Montana that handed out 76 degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 76% were women.

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#18

Dawson Community College

Glendive, Montana
74 Total Awards
$11,115 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, Dawson Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Glendive, Montana, the very small public school awarded 74 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

Degree recipients from DCC accumulate an average of $11,115 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Dawson Community College

#19

Fort Peck Community College

Poplar, Montana
63 Total Awards

With a ranking of #19, Fort Peck Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Poplar, Montana, the very small public school handed out 63 degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.

Full Fort Peck Community College Report

56 Total Awards
$16,295 Average Earnings

Crevier’s Academy of Cosmetology Arts did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #20 on the list. Crevier’s Academy of Cosmetology Arts is a very small private for-profit school situated in Kalispell, Montana. It awarded 56 degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, Crevier’s Academy of Cosmetology Arts graduates make an average of $16,295 annually. Around 96% of those degree recipients were women.

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#21

Little Big Horn College

Crow Agency, Montana
42 Total Awards

Little Big Horn College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #21 on the list. Little Big Horn College is a very small public school situated in Crow Agency, Montana. It awarded 42 degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.

Read full report on Little Big Horn College

#22

Stone Child College

Box Elder, Montana
38 Total Awards

Stone Child College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #22 on the list. SCC is a public institution located in Box Elder, Montana. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 38 degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.

Full Stone Child College Report

#23

Aaniiih Nakoda College

Harlem, Montana
26 Total Awards

With a ranking of #23, Aaniiih Nakoda College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Aaniiih Nakoda College is a public institution located in Harlem, Montana. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 26 degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.

Read More…

#24

Academy of Cosmetology

Bozeman, Montana
22 Total Awards
$19,063 Average Earnings

Academy of Cosmetology landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Academy of Cosmetology is a very small private for-profit school situated in Bozeman, Montana. It awarded 22 degrees in 2020-2021.

Once they receive their degree, Academy of Cosmetology graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $19,063 during the early year of their career. Around 95% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Academy of Cosmetology

#25

Bitterroot School of Cosmetology

Hamilton, Montana
19 Total Awards

Bitterroot School of Cosmetology landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Bitterroot School of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution located in Hamilton, Montana. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 19 degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 100% were women.

Full Bitterroot School of Cosmetology Report

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 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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