2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Montana
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
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2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Montana
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Our analysis ranked Flathead Valley Community College the best value for a degree in registered nursing in Montana. Set in the town of Kalispell, Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,659. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,187. Registered Nursing graduates of Flathead Valley Community College earn a median of $71,348 early in their careers. Set against $21,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Miles Community College earned it the #2 place for registered nursing. Located in the town of Miles City, Miles Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,500 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $29,199. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Miles Community College generally make around $67,708. Set against $29,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Salish Kootenai College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Pablo, Salish Kootenai College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,311 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,583. Registered Nursing graduates of Salish Kootenai College earn a median of $52,607 early in their careers.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Great Falls College Montana State University earned it the #4 place for registered nursing. Set in the city of Great Falls, Great Falls College Montana State University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,028 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,911 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $38,034 ten years out.
Montana State University Northern is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Havre, Montana State University Northern is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,982, compared with $21,875 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,486 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $77,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Helena College University Of Montana landed the #6 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Helena, Helena College University Of Montana is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,106, with out-of-state students paying around $11,278. Students borrow a median of $29,692 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $63,902. Set against $29,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montana State University Billings ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,280, while out-of-state students pay about $22,897. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $29,869. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Montana State University Billings generally make around $72,000. That is a strong return on a $29,869 median debt.
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana came in at #8 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Butte, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,289, while out-of-state students pay about $26,094. Students borrow a median of $35,839 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana generally make around $74,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The University Of Montana placed #9 among the best values for registered nursing. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $34,743. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $67,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University came in at #10 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $86,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Great Falls landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Great Falls, University Of Great Falls is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,448 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,847 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $101,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Carroll College came in at #12 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Helena, Carroll College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,484 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Carroll College earn a median of $75,007 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
- 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.
