To stand out in most job opportunities in Montana, the best step to take as a student is to attend colleges in the state. This gives you an edge over other candidates who might want to compete for these job opportunities.
As Montana is popularly known as the “Treasure State” because it has a lot of gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, coal, oil, and natural gas.
Also, it has a lot of mines, and more millionaires per person than any other city in the world by the end of the 19th century. Montana also has a lot of schools, which is a good thing. There are a lot of different colleges and universities in Montana.
In this article, we would outline the best colleges in Montana in 2024 and why they stand out. In addition, you would also see how we ranked these schools and frequently asked questions about the top colleges in Montana. Keep reading!
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What Makes The Best Colleges In Montana In 2024 Stand Out?
In the United States, Montana is unlike any other place. Montana is cold, mountainous, and still very, very wild. Montana is one of the biggest and least populated states, so it doesn’t need as many colleges and universities as, say, New England or California. However, that just means that the colleges Montana does have are the best in the country.
In keeping with the state’s history, higher education in Big Sky Country has always put a lot of emphasis on practical professions and sciences. Montana’s economy hinges on mining, agriculture (especially cattle), and forestry.
However, as these industries shift and change in the 21st century, the state is ready to make new and innovative uses of its natural resources. These could be renewable and sustainable energy, technology, and tourism.
Montana’s best colleges know that the state’s future depends on technology, renewable energy, and keeping the state’s natural beauty and character. That’s why Montana’s colleges commit to giving the people of Montana what they need.
Montana’s future is in technical training, professional careers, and leadership in government, business, and education. The state has a small number of colleges and universities, but they are proud of what they offer. These and many more make the top colleges in Montana stand out.
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What are the Requirements for Getting into the Top Colleges in Montana?
Traditional Students
For full admission to a 4-year course in the top colleges in Montana, high school graduates must meet the following requirements:
- Earn at least a 2.5 GPA in high school, or be in the top half of your class
- Get a composite score of 22 or higher on the ACT or a total score of 1120 or higher on the SAT.
- The exception is MSU-Northern, which requires a score of 20 on the ACT or 1050 on the SAT.
- Complete either the Rigorous Core College Preparatory Program or the Regents’ College Preparatory Program.
- Complete the Regents’ College Preparatory program, which includes three years of math, four years of English, two years of science, three years of social studies
- Finish two years of electives, such as languages, computer science, visual or performing arts, speech, or vocational education.
- Complete the Rigorous Core College Preparatory Program, which includes math (4 years), English (4 years), lab science (3 years), social studies (3 years), and college prep electives (3 years).
- Show that you are good at math in one of the following ways:
- Get a 22 on the ACT math test or a 27.5 on the SAT math test, or finish the Rigorous Core.
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Non-traditional students
A non-traditional student is someone who doesn’t go to college for at least three years after graduating from high school. Nontraditional students in MUS must meet the following requirements to get into a four-year college:
Provide one of the following
- An official high school transcript with the date you graduated
- Official high school equivalency completion assessment designated by the Board of Public Education (formerly the GED and now the HiSET)
- A compass proficiency test result.
- Applicants who graduated high school three or more years before the semester they want to enroll in do not have to send in their ACT or SAT scores.
Transfer Students
For admissions purposes, a transfer student is someone who has completed 12 or more college-level credits at another college or university, is starting at a new school for the first time, and has had their credits from the previous school accepted.
For full admission to a four-year college, transfer applicants must have at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average, which is the same as a “C” on a 4.0 scale. This hinges on transferable credits from all colleges or universities previously attended.
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What is the Cost of Schooling in the Best Colleges in Montana in 2024?
For the 2020-2024 school year, the average cost of in-state college tuition in Montana was $7,334. This is $7,587 less than the average cost of college in the United States.
This makes Montana the 49th most expensive and 4th least expensive state or district to go to college in. From the average of $7,202 for 2019-2020, this is an increase of $132, or 1.83% per year.
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How Did We Rank the Top Colleges in Montana?
When making our list of the 15 best colleges in Montana in 2024, we looked at school quality, results, and return on investment (ROI). We took into account a lot of other things. We considered-
- The number of students who stay in school
- How selective the school is
- The amount of money the school has set aside for each student
- The ratio of students to teachers
- The average salary of graduates
- Cost of going to the top college in Montana
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15 Best Colleges in Montana in 2024
#1. Carroll College
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Middle 50% SAT: 1070-1270
- Middle 50% ACT: 22-28
- Undergrad Enrollment: 1,322
Carroll is a Catholic liberal arts college with a 63-acre campus near Helena, which is the state capital of Montana. Carroll College is one of the best colleges in Montana in 2024.
The location of Carroll College gives students a lot of options for school, work, and fun. They can do internships at local federal and state offices and have easy access to world-class mountain biking and hiking.
Helena is also a great place for Carroll College students to find cultural activities. The Holter Museum of Modern Art, the Helena Symphony, and the Montana Shakespeare Company are all in Helena, as are more traditional Montana activities like rodeos and dog sled races.
#2. MSU | Montana State University
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Middle 50% SAT: 1090-1320
- Middle 50% ACT: 21-28
- Undergrad Enrollment: 14,240
Montana State University started in 1893 as a land-grant institution. Today, it is the state’s largest university. It is also one of the top colleges in Montana today.
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching says that MSU is one of only 131 colleges and universities in the country. It has a “very high research activity.” It is also one of only 69 that has a “significant commitment to community engagement.”
Bridger Bowl and Big Sky, two great ski areas, are close to MSU, which makes it a great place for skiers. Bozeman’s cultural attractions, such as its symphony, opera, and ballet companies, as well as its shopping, dining, and art, draw people who prefer to stay inside.
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#3. RMC | Rocky Mountain College
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Middle 50% SAT: 930-1155
- Middle 50% ACT: 18-24
- Undergrad Enrollment: 839
Rocky Mountain College is the oldest college in Montana. Founded in 1873, which makes it older than the state itself, which didn’t become a state until 1889. RMC is a small liberal arts college linked to the United Church of Christ, the United Methodist Church, and the Presbyterian Church in the past.
However, the college is open to students from all backgrounds. It commits to being open to all points of view, including religious ones. RMC is popular for having unusual majors like aviation and equestrian studies. Rocky Mountain College is one of the top colleges in Montana.
#4. Montana State University
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Middle 50% SAT: 1055-1245
- Middle 50% ACT: 20-26
- Undergrad Enrollment: 7,714
The public university system in Montana is mostly led by the University of Montana. The university is in western Montana, in the middle of the northern Rockies. Missoula is popular as the “Garden City” because it has so many trees and green grass. Reviews show that MSU is one of the top colleges in Montana.
The University of Montana is a good choice for people who like the outdoors. It is close to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks and makes it easy to do things like skiing, hiking, and fishing. Due to this, the University of Montana has produced more Udall Scholars than any other school in the country.
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#5. The University of Montana’s Montana Tech | Montana Tech
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Middle 50% SAT: 1080-1260
- Middle 50% ACT: 21-26
- Undergrad Enrollment: 1,369
Montana Tech began as the Montana State School of Mines in the year 1900. At first, the school was just one building with 21 students and only two degrees. The mining engineering and electrical engineering degrees. Even now, STEM is still the main focus of the college. It is one of the best colleges in Montana in 2It
In fact, it is the only university in Montana that focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math. It offers degrees in fields like biology, engineering, and nursing. Payscale’s list of the best value colleges ranks Montana Tech 83rd for in-state students and 115th for out-of-state students, out of 1,978 colleges and universities.
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#6. University of Montana Western |UMW
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Middle 50% SAT: 890-1120
- Middle 50% ACT: 17-22
- Undergrad Enrollment: 1,126
In 1897, the State Normal School, which is now the University of Montana Western, opened as a college to train teachers. Today, UMW has many different kinds of programs, from equine studies to the fine arts to math. Students at UMW are popular for their “Experience One” block scheduling.
There, they take one class at a time for three hours a day over three and a half weeks. Most students take four classes each semester. Experience One gave students a focused learning experience that no other school could match. It is one of the top colleges in Montana.
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#7. University of Rhode Island | UP
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Middle 50% SAT: N/A
- Middle 50% ACT: 16-23
- Undergrad Enrollment: 484
The University of Providence is a small, Roman Catholic liberal arts school with a strong focus on faith. UP hinges on the Catholic intellectual tradition, but students from all backgrounds are welcome on campus.
Only a quarter of undergraduates are Catholic. The university only has 11 majors for first-year students:
- Biology: Business and Management
- Criminal Justice
- Programs for education
- Exercise Science, Forensic Science, Healthcare Administration, Law, and Paralegal Studies
- Theology and Ministry Nursing Sports Management
#8. The Salish Kootenai College
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Middle 50% SAT: N/A
- Middle 50% ACT: N/A
- Undergrad Enrollment: 558
Salish Kootenai College offers education based on the cultures of the Séli, Ksanka, and Qispé people of the Flathead Nation. The school’s goal is to help Native Americans get a higher education.
Of the students at Salish Kootenai College, 61% are tribal members and 16% are tribal descendants. There are 68% of North American tribes represented on campus.
The school offers a wide range of degrees, from liberal arts to business. However, its Native American Studies Careers Division is what makes it stand out. It is one of the best colleges in Montana in 2024.
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#9. Montana State University in Billings | MSUB
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
- Middle 50% SAT: N/A
- Middle 50% ACT: 17-24
- Undergrad Enrollment: 3,602
The Montana State University Billings has five colleges, and together they offer 115 academic programs:
- The Liberal Arts and Social Sciences College
- College of Education College of Business
- City College College of Health Professions and Science
The university is proud of its results. On average, its four-year graduates make $4,500 more per year than graduates from other public four-year schools in Montana. MSUB is in the biggest city in Montana. It has a close-knit campus community, in part because of the many student groups and the low student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1.
#10. Montana State-Northern
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Middle 50% SAT: 845-973
- Middle 50% ACT: 16-22
- Undergrad Enrollment: 794
Montana State University-Northern has more than 35 majors in agriculture, business, education, engineering technology, nursing, and the arts and sciences. The university is only 45 miles south of the Canadian border and serves a huge area.
It has both Montana’s biggest and smallest towns as well as four Native American reservations.WUE is one of the best colleges in Montana in 2024.
Through the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), qualified students from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands can attend the university for a lot less than non-resident tuition.
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#11. Highlands College
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Middle 50% SAT: 845-973
- Middle 50% ACT: 16-22
- Undergrad Enrollment: 794
In the Channel Islands, on the island of Jersey, there is a college called Highlands College. It has more than 4,000 part-time and adult students and 860 full-time students. Highlands is a partner college with the Universities of Plymouth, London South Bank, and Sussex. Ranking #11 on our list, Highlands college is one of the top colleges in Montana.
#12. University of Providence, Montana
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Middle 50% SAT: 845-973
- Middle 50% ACT: 16-22
- Undergrad Enrollment: 546
The University of Providence in Great Falls, Montana, is a private Roman Catholic university. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities has given it a seal of approval. With an acceptance rate of 87%, it is one of the top colleges in Montana.
They help students in their pursuit of academic excellence and personal growth through the teachings of Jesus Christ. At UP, students will learn more about who they are and what they do in the world.
This helps them find their way to not only success but also happiness, so they can earn a living and really
live.
#13. Great Falls College Montana State
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Middle 50% SAT: 845-973
- Middle 50% ACT: 16-22
- Undergrad Enrollment: 1094
The city of Great Falls is in Montana. It is home to the C.M. Russell Museum, which is all about the famous American West artist. In a famous Romanesque Revival building, the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art shows modern art.
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center is next to Giant Springs State Park on the Missouri River. It displays the explorers’ journey through the park. It is one of the top colleges in Montana.
#14. Flathead Valley Community College
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Middle 50% SAT: 845-973
- Middle 50% ACT: 16-22
- Undergrad Enrollment: 943
Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, Montana, is a public community college. Nestled in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Northwest Montana, FVCC offers high-quality academic programs that allow students to transfer to four-year colleges.
It also allows them to take advantage of more than 50 career and technical programs. This prepares them to enter the workforce today. The school is one of the top colleges in Montana.
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#15. Miles Community College
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Middle 50% SAT: 845-973
- Middle 50% ACT: 16-22
- Undergrad Enrollment: 742
In Miles City, Montana, Miles Community College is a public community college. Miles College is a senior, private, liberal arts college with roots in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. It is a Historically Black College.
Through the hard work of its teachers, the College encourages students to seek knowledge. This helps them become more intellectually and politically powerful. Students change through rigorous study, scholarly inquiry, and spiritual awareness. This helps graduates become responsible citizens who help shape the global society.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Montana State University and the University of Montana are the state’s two biggest universities. They offer a lot of innovative degree programs in agriculture and wildlife studies.
Montana State University. Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman, Montana, is a public land-grant research university. It is the largest college in the state.
Bozeman
Billings
County of Beaverhead
Missoula
MSU won the top spot in Montana in several categories. These include- the best bachelor’s degree school for business, management, and marketing and; the best master’s degree school for education. They also won the best bachelor’s degree school for psychology; the best liberal arts/sciences and humanities school; and the best bachelor’s degree school for business, management, and marketing.
Even though Montana is not one of the most populated states, two of its cities are on the list of the Top 100 Best Places to Live for 2018. Bozeman, where Montana State University is, ranks No. 96. Missoula, where the University of Montana is, ranks No. 59.
Over 40,000 ambitious students attend 16 colleges and universities in Montana that are part of the Montana University System (MUS).
95.8% of applicants got accepted by the University of Montana in 2020
Conclusion
The Montana University System has the school’s research institutions. Every day, they bring useful knowledge and technology to the industry. Montana State, on the other hand, is known as one of the best mountain colleges, and its outdoor recreation program is one of the most important in the world.
All of the top colleges in Montana stand out for unique reasons and they are worth it.
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References
- bestcolleges.com– top colleges in Montana
- blog.collegevine.com– best colleges in Montana
- edsmart.org– best colleges in Montana in 2024
- collegeconsensus.com– top colleges in Montana
- Image Link
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