Best Online Colleges in Montana for 2024

Get detailed info on Best Online Colleges in Montana and their online degrees, financial aid and scholarships, acceptance rate, tuition and fees.

Montana besides its large area has fewer colleges and universities for higher studies. But, due to the initiatives that were taken up by the Montana University System Office of the Commissioner of Higher education, the facilities of higher education in Montana is improving gradually. The educational status of Montana will develop soon. Online education in Montana is also playing a vital role in improving the educational rate in the state.

The Montana University Board of Regents introduced the core principle of quality for online education in the university system of the state during the year 2008. This was to set some basic criteria’s and methodology of teaching online. This was established to make sure that the students pursuing their distant education get the best from the colleges.

Opportunities for college education in Montana

Montana has around 23 degree-granting institutions in the state. Among the 23 colleges in Montana providing degree-granting, two of the leading universities for online education are the University of Montana and Montana University System.

The number of students enrolled in 4-year college institutions was 31,091, and 2-year college institutions were 4,794. Among the entire students who enrolled in online education, around 85% of students are from the state itself. This shows that most of the students in the state are open to online education. The total number of enrollments in the state for the year 2016 was 50,916 and the total number of degrees awarded was, 2,339 Associate's Degree, 6,011 Bachelor's Degree, 1,196 Master's Degree and 430 Doctoral Degrees, according to the National Center of Education Statistics.

Despite the fact that there are limited numbers of colleges, there are many diverse courses available under the colleges in Montana. Most of the students outside the state also look for the best online colleges in Montana as there is less number of students in the state and there are high chances of getting accepted into the colleges.

The following is a list of top online colleges in Montana in 2019.

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1 Great Falls College Montana State University

Great Falls, Montana


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 76%

Average Financial Aid: $4,576

Acceptance Rate: Request Info

Total Programs Offered (7)


4

Health Science Programs

1

Science Program

1

Behavioral Sciences Program

1

Other Program


Great Falls College Montana State University is a public institution that is accredited by the Northwest Commission Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). It offers Associate Degree and Certificate in Arts, Behavioral Sciences, Health Science, Science and many more.

A cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required to take admission in this institution. The average
age of traditional freshman is 18.4 years, and for a non-traditional candidate, it is 21.5.

This institute has 105 faculty members who have experience in their respective domains and area of study. Among them, 43 are for part-time and remaining for full time.

There are several student clubs and organizations available in the Great Falls College for its students such as Associated Students of GFCMSU, Christian Student Association, EMS students, Student PTA Association, Respiratory Care Club, STEM Club, Student Nursing Organization (LPN), etc.

University of Providence
#

2 University of Providence

Great Falls, Montana


Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit

Financial Aid Percentage: 98%

Average Financial Aid: $14,622

Acceptance Rate: 57.00

Total Programs Offered (25)


7

Education Programs

6

Health Science Programs

2

Criminal Justice Programs

10

Other Programs


The University of Providence is a private, Roman Catholic university that is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). It offers about 30 programs and concentrations.

It provides online Associate’s, Bachelor and Graduate degree programs for the individuals who are busy and find it difficult to attend classes. The university helps the military men to complete their education by allowing them to use their tuition assistance.

Around 96% of the students of the University of Providence get some type of financial aid which includes scholarships, loans, and grants to lower their cost of tuition. There are various clubs and organizations on campus that help the students to engage themselves in and get to know others.

University of Montana (UM)
#

3 University of Montana (UM)

Missoula, Montana


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 74%

Average Financial Aid: $4,825

Acceptance Rate: 92.00

Total Programs Offered (22)


4

Business Management Programs

4

Education Programs

3

Health Science Programs

11

Other Programs


The University of Montana is a research university that is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). It offers various majors and degree programs.

It supports innovation and excellence through online teaching and learning. Military veterans get many educational benefits from the university through the Yellow Ribbon Program, G.I. Bill, etc.

UM is among the nation’s 377 top institutions for undergraduate education as ranked by the Princeton Review. It has been training journalists for over 100 years. UM has hosted National Conference on Undergraduate Research twice, where about 2,600 scholars and faculty mentors had gathered.

It also has various student clubs and organizations for the students to be a part of and enhance their knowledge.

#

4 The University of Montana-Western

Dillon, Montana


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 80%

Average Financial Aid: $7,473

Acceptance Rate: Request Info

Total Programs Offered (2)


2

Education Programs


The University of Montana-Western is a public university that has its complete accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). It offers its students several certificates and degree programs.

It is one among the best colleges which provide online education and is ranked 2nd among the top ten by the OnlineColleges.com. This provides flexibility for rural Montanans.

The University of Montana-Western provides educational benefits to the military veterans by allowing them to use the GI Bill benefits. To get into this university the candidate must a composite score of at least 22 in ACT or a total score of at least 1120 in SAT and a GPA of at least 2.5.

It encourages its students to take part in various extracurricular activities by being a member of the student clubs and organizations present on campus.

Montana State University - Northern (MSU)
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5 Montana State University - Northern (MSU)

Havre, Montana


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 76%

Average Financial Aid: $4,798

Acceptance Rate: 100.00

Total Programs Offered (9)


4

Business Management Programs

2

Education Programs

1

Criminal Justice Program

2

Other Programs


Montana State University-Northern is a public university that has its accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). It offers various majors and minor programs in different areas of education.

Online education is given to students with a flexible schedule. MSU is a military friendly college as it allows military veterans to use the military benefits and complete their education using it.

The minimum tuition fee for MSU is $8,861.44. It awards financial aid worth $11 million and about 80% of the students receive some form of financial aid. Scholarships are given to the students based on achievement, circumstance and academic merit.

#

6 Dawson Community College

Glendive, Montana


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 91%

Average Financial Aid: $5,831

Acceptance Rate: Request Info

Total Programs Offered (10)


3

Business Management Programs

2

Human Services Programs

1

Criminal Justice Program

4

Other Programs


Dawson Community College is a community college that is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). It offers several courses for the Associate degree and Certificate programs.

It provides online courses that emphasize communication, collaboration, and engagement with quality programs. It allows military veterans to complete their education using military benefits.
More than 70% of the students receive financial aid and scholarships which is offered in thousands of dollars by the college.

All the full-time college students become members of the Associated Student Body by default. Many student clubs and societies are formed as the number of students increases.

Montana State University
#

7 Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 74%

Average Financial Aid: $5,879

Acceptance Rate: 83.00

Total Programs Offered (13)


4

Education Programs

2

Nursing Programs

2

Human Services Programs

5

Other Programs


Montana State University is a public research institute accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). It offers Undergraduate and Graduate, and Certificate programs in various courses like Agriculture, Arts, Education, Human Services, Nursing, Science and many more.

The students of MSU are offered various facilities and services such as residential facility, culinary services, sports & fitness, outdoor recreation, streamline bus and library to keep them motivated and stress-free.

A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 is required to take admission in this institution.

Montana State University is indulged in providing various veteran services and has a veteran support center to assist the military and their eligible dependents. More than 600 veteran students are availing this facility every year. This institute has separate offices and resource centers like Allen Yarnell Centre, disability services, financial aid to provide all kinds of resources for veterans.

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8 Miles Community College

Miles City, Montana


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 77%

Average Financial Aid: $4,554

Acceptance Rate: Request Info

Total Programs Offered (53)


6

Business Management Programs

5

Arts Programs

5

Biomedical Science Programs

37

Other Programs


Miles Community College is a public institution that is accredited by the Northwest Commission Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). It offers courses in the field of Accounting, Business Management, Education, History, Chemistry, Fine Arts, Science, Sociology, Information Technology, Media Studies and many more.

The student activities board of the college works hard to provide quality time for the students on campus. It hosts various events and activities such as Rodeo Club, Student Nursing Association, Young Farmers and Ranchers, Campus Ministry, Student Ambassador and so on.

Miles Community College's athletics team is named as “MCC Pioneers”. MCC athletic teams are very well recognized and are involved in playing various popular sports such as Volleyball, Softball, Rodeo, Basketball, etc.

Montana Tech of the University of Montana
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9 Montana Tech of the University of Montana

Butte, Montana


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 74%

Average Financial Aid: $5,873

Acceptance Rate: 89.00

Total Programs Offered (8)


3

Health Science Programs

2

Environmental Science Programs

2

Business Management Programs

1

Other Program


Montana Tech of the University of Montana is a public institution accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). It awards Bachelor’s, Master’s and Graduate Certificates in the area of Agriculture, Arts, Education, Nursing, Human Services and many more.

A minimum GPA of 2.25 is required to take admission in this institution.

The students of Montana Tech are offered essential facilities and services such as the library, dining services, clubs and activities, residential housing, outdoor activity. This is provided to enhance their abilities and interpersonal skills.

This university has been named as a military friendly school because of its services given to eligible veterans and their dependents such as health centers, counseling, etc.

#

10 Helena College University of Montana

Helena, Montana


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 68%

Average Financial Aid: $4,349

Acceptance Rate: Request Info

Total Programs Offered (8)


3

Applied Science Programs

1

Accounting Program

1

Arts Program

3

Other Programs


Helena College University of Montana is a public institution that is accredited by the Northwest Commission Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). It offers Accounting, Applied Science, Arts, Criminal Justice, Health Science, Nursing and many more at an affordable cost.

There are multiple types of scholarships awarded to help students in their education program such as Business Scholarships, Military Scholarships, Women’s Opportunity, and Minority Scholarships, Disability Scholarships, General Scholarships, and so on.

The veteran resources offices provide G.I. Bill education benefits, Disability Services, Student Support Center, Personal Counselling, Veterans Clubs, etc. In 2018, 64% of students were awarded financial aid, and 46% of them received Federal Pell Grant from this institute.

The Automotive Technology program is regionally certified by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).