2026 Best Liberal Arts Schools in Montana

Liberal Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best liberal arts schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Liberal Arts Schools in Montana

Best Schools for Liberal Arts in Montana

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall liberal arts education in Montana.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts

1

Montana State University
Bozeman, MT

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

56 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded

$31,710 Median Starting Salary

Montana State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in liberal arts. This large public university is located in the city of Bozeman. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 56 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Montana State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Montana State University generally make around $31,710. Typical student debt for the program is $19,268. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Montana State University

2

Montana State University Billings
Billings, MT

Associate's Degree Highest Degree Type

31 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded

$29,832 Median Starting Salary

Montana State University Billings is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Billings. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. There were roughly 31 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Montana State University Billings in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Montana State University Billings earn a median of $29,832 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $39,800 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Montana State University Billings

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 9 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.