Best Graduate Schools in Montana 2024
Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Montana offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.
Best Grad Schools in Montana
- Montana State University 18 to 1
- University of Montana 17 to 1
- Montana Technological University 13 to 1
- Montana Technological University $5,878
- Montana State University $5,824
- University of Montana $5,515
- Montana State University $5,241
- University of Montana $5,166
- Montana Technological University $4,848
- Montana Technological University 13 to 1
- University of Montana 17 to 1
- Montana State University 18 to 1
- University of Montana $5,515
- Montana State University $5,824
- Montana Technological University $5,878
- Montana Technological University $4,848
- University of Montana $5,166
- Montana State University $5,241
Colleges and Universities in Montana
Montana has 21 higher learning institutions, including 16 public universities and colleges. The largest is Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman. With an affordable tuition of $7,000, MSU enrolls just over 16,000 students. Students can earn their degree in fields like forestry, wildlife biology, theatre, and creative writing. The state is also home to five private schools, three of which are religiously affiliated.
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Carroll College is a Roman Catholic liberal arts college with just over 1,000 students in attendance. The tuition runs about $35,000, the most expensive in the state, and it is located on a hilltop in Helena. Students can choose from 18 schools in Montana with tuitions of $7,000 or less, making Montana an affordable state to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. The state also offers loan repayment programs, including the Montana NHSC Student Loan Repayment Program, which grants up to $15,000 per year for two years for those in health-related fields.
Hiking through Glacier National Park, exploring the Northern Great Plains, and fishing from one of its many lakes and rivers are just some of the ways to enjoy the natural bounty that Montana has to offer. Visitors and locals can also drive Going-to-the-Sun-Road, a 52-mile highway that ventures through the National Park and crosses into Canada. No matter the outdoor hobby, prospective students are sure to love the scenic backdrop of The Treasure State as they earn their degree.
Check out the best programs Montana has to offer while enjoying the wide-open spaces of Big Sky Country.
What are Montana’s Colleges & Universities?
- 2 Research Universities
- 7 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 3 Graduate Schools
- 6 Public Colleges & Universities
- 3 Private Colleges & Universities
- 3 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 7 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 6 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 2 Community Colleges
- 7 Online Colleges
Montana’s Best Overall
There are 3 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Montana. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Montana is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.
Best Grad Schools in Montana 2023
- #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2024 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Montana 2024 #1 Best Colleges in Montana 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Research Universities in Montana 2024
- #1 Best Online Colleges in Montana 2024
- #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Montana 2024
- #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Montana 2024
- #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Montana
- #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Anthropology
- #3 Best Online Associate in Liberal Arts
- #6 Best Online Bachelor’s of Digital Media for 2024
- #7 15 Most Affordable Online Public Health Doctorates (PhDs)
- #9 20 Best Online Master's of Speech Pathology Degree Programs
- #14 Top 20 Most Affordable Online MBA Degree Programs Ranked 2024
- #16 Best Online Bachelor's in Social Work Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #18 Best Online Doctorate in Education Degree Programs Ranked for Students
- #21 Best Online Master’s in Education
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
46%
Student body
12K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Montana
Cost of Degree: $7,719Expenses: $17,640Starting Salary: $43,300Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Montana known for?
University of Montana’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Earth Sciences
- Chemistry
- Philosophy
- Biology
- Literature
- History
- Education
- Communications
- Law
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2024 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Montana 2024 #2 Best Colleges in Montana 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
57%
Student body
19K
Median SAT/ACT
1180/23
Career Outlook for degree at Montana State University
Cost of Degree: $7,727Expenses: $16,800Starting Salary: $48,900Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Montana State University known for?
Montana State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Montana 2024 #5 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2024 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Montana 2024 #5 Best Small Colleges in Montana 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
57%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1185/22
Career Outlook for degree at Montana Technological University
Cost of Degree: $7,527Expenses: $16,091Starting Salary: $52,100Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Montana Technological University known for?
Montana Technological University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Montana’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest
Resources for Prospective Grad Students
Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.