2026 Best Nursing Schools in Montana
Nursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools to find the best for nursing students.
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Best Schools for Nursing in Montana
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall nursing education in Montana.
Top Schools in Nursing
No school ranked higher than University Of Great Falls this year for nursing. University Of Great Falls is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Great Falls. Roughly 21% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 76 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Great Falls in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of University Of Great Falls earn a median of $101,187 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,847 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for University Of Great Falls
Montana State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. Montana State University awarded about 431 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $86,654 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000.
See the full nursing program report for Montana State University
Carroll College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing, ranking #3. Carroll College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Helena. Carroll College graduates 69% of students within six years. About 38 nursing degrees were awarded at Carroll College in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Carroll College earn a median of $75,007 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full nursing program report for Carroll College
Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at The University Of Montana, which ranked #4. This large public university is located in the city of Missoula. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 36 nursing students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Montana in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $67,743 early in their careers. The University Of Montana graduates carry a median of $34,743 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from The University Of Montana
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. This small public university is located in the town of Butte. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 45 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $74,338 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $35,839 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana
Salish Kootenai College landed the #6 spot for nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Pablo, Salish Kootenai College is a small public institution. About 5% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Salish Kootenai College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Salish Kootenai College generally make around $52,607.
See the full nursing program report for Salish Kootenai College
Flathead Valley Community College placed #7 among the best nursing schools. Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kalispell. Flathead Valley Community College awarded about 22 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Flathead Valley Community College generally make around $71,348. Typical student debt for the program is $21,187.
Get the full nursing details for Flathead Valley Community College
Great Falls College Montana State University came in at #8 for nursing this year. This small public university is located in the city of Great Falls. About 28 nursing degrees were awarded at Great Falls College Montana State University in the most recent year.
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Montana State University Billings landed the #9 spot for nursing this year. Located in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 55 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Montana State University Billings in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Montana State University Billings generally make around $72,000. Typical student debt for the program is $29,869.
Read more about the nursing program at Montana State University Billings
Montana State University Northern landed the #10 spot for nursing this year. Montana State University Northern is a small public school located in the town of Havre. Montana State University Northern graduates 30% of students within six years. Montana State University Northern awarded about 32 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Montana State University Northern earn around $77,121 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,486.
Read more about the nursing program at Montana State University Northern
Miles Community College came in at #11 for nursing this year. Located in the town of Miles City, Miles Community College is a small public university. About 18 nursing degrees were awarded at Miles Community College in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Miles Community College earn a median of $67,708 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,199.
Get the full nursing details for Miles Community College
Helena College University Of Montana earned the #12 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of Helena, Helena College University Of Montana is a small public institution. About 31 nursing degrees were awarded at Helena College University Of Montana in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $63,902 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,692 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for Helena College University Of Montana
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 14 schools evaluated.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
