Find the Best Colleges in Montana
For a state with just over a million people, Montana is rich with resources for higher education — and new online degree programs are making Montana colleges more accessible than ever.
Only three non-profit private colleges operate in Big Sky Country. Most Montana colleges are public. The public Montana colleges include: three general community colleges; five campuses for Montana State University (main campus in Bozeman); six campuses for the University of Montana (main campus in Missoula); and seven tribal colleges that grant two-year degrees and professional certificates. Tribal colleges are especially designed for Native Americans but also enroll non-Native students.
Montana Colleges & Universities
- Most Montana college students receive financial aid. The majority of Montana college students don’t pay the full advertised price. Financial aid sources include the federal government, the state government, the school’s own funds and money from private organizations. Students may also be eligible for work-study programs and low-interest loans. If you are unable to pay a bill for school, a Montana public college can ease your stress with an installment plan.
- Online tuition is especially low. Montana colleges offer discounted prices for many of their online degree programs. One example is Montana State University – Bozeman. Including tuition and fees they charge Montana residents less than $3500/semester for full-time online study.
- Waiting for you: $1500. Plan ahead to save the most on Montana college education. The Montana State University Matched Education Savings Account (MESA) program helps eligible students save for school. For every $1 you save, MESA will contribute $3 to your account! However, the maximum MESA contribution per person is $1500.
- Montana makes cross-border deals. Maybe your dream school is outside state lines. Montana is a member of a “tuition discount club” called the Western Undergraduate Exchange. Montana residents can get discounts on tuition at certain public schools in these states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.