2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Montana
Registered Nursing programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Registered Nursing in Montana
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall registered nursing education in Montana.
Top Schools in Registered Nursing
Leading the list is University Of Great Falls, our #1 school for registered nursing. University Of Great Falls is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Great Falls. About 21% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 76 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Great Falls in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $101,187 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,847.
Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Great Falls
Montana State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Montana State University is a large public school located in the city of Bozeman. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 391 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Montana State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Montana State University earn around $86,654 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Montana State University
Carroll College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Carroll College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Helena. About 69% of students finish within six years. Carroll College awarded about 38 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Carroll College generally make around $75,007. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Carroll College
The University Of Montana is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #4. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. The University Of Montana graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Montana in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $67,743. Typical student debt for the program is $34,743.
Read more about the registered nursing program at The University Of Montana
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Butte, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a small public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 45 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $74,338 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $35,839.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana
Salish Kootenai College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Pablo, Salish Kootenai College is a small public university. Roughly 5% of students complete a degree within six years here. Salish Kootenai College awarded about 21 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Salish Kootenai College earn a median of $52,607 early in their careers.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Salish Kootenai College
Flathead Valley Community College landed the #7 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Kalispell, Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Flathead Valley Community College awarded about 22 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $71,348 in their early career. Flathead Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $21,187 in student loans.
Get the full registered nursing details for Flathead Valley Community College
Great Falls College Montana State University landed the #8 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Great Falls, Great Falls College Montana State University is a small public university. About 28 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Great Falls College Montana State University in the most recent year.
Get the full registered nursing details for Great Falls College Montana State University
Montana State University Billings placed #9 among the best registered nursing schools. Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Billings. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 55 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Montana State University Billings in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $72,000 in their early career. Montana State University Billings graduates carry a median of $29,869 in student loans.
Get the full registered nursing details for Montana State University Billings
Montana State University Northern came in at #10 for registered nursing this year. This small public university is located in the town of Havre. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. There were roughly 32 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Montana State University Northern in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Montana State University Northern earn around $77,121 in the first couple years of their career. Montana State University Northern graduates carry a median of $30,486 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Montana State University Northern
Miles Community College placed #11 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Miles City, Miles Community College is a small public university. About 18 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Miles Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Miles Community College generally make around $67,708. Miles Community College graduates carry a median of $29,199 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Miles Community College
Helena College University Of Montana placed #12 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Helena, Helena College University Of Montana is a small public institution. About 31 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Helena College University Of Montana in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Helena College University Of Montana earn around $63,902 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,692 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Helena College University Of Montana
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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.
