Nursing Schools in Montana (2026)
19 accredited nursing programs found
Montana has 19 nursing-relevant schools in this directory, with a heavily public-tilted split of 15 public and 4 private institutions. Average in-state tuition is $8,332, with public schools averaging $5,133 and private schools averaging $24,327. The 25th-to-75th-percentile tuition band runs from $3,610 to $8,050 — a narrow low-cost range. The cheapest tracked program is Fort Peck Community College at $2,250 per year, and the largest by undergraduate enrollment is Montana State University at approximately 14,472.
Across Montana programs the average graduation rate is 39.1 percent — among the lower state averages — and the average retention rate is 66.2 percent. Median post-graduation earnings average $40,738 and median federal debt at graduation averages $16,435. The state's healthcare employer base is dominated by Billings Clinic, Bozeman Health, and Logan Health, with a long tail of rural critical-access hospitals across the state's wide geography.
Registered Nurse Market in Montana
BLS wage and employment data for registered nurses
Registered Nurse Salary in Montana
Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024
Matches the Montana average of $8,332.
Matches the Montana average of 39.1%.
Matches the Montana median of $40,738.
Tuition Overview
| Avg Public Tuition | $5,133 |
| Lowest Tuition | $2,250 |
| Highest Tuition | $40,352 |
| Avg Private Tuition | $24,327 |
Student Outcomes
| Avg Graduation Rate | 39.1% |
| Avg Earnings After Grad | $38,609 |
| Avg Student Debt | $16,435 |
| Total Enrollment | 33,287 |
All Nursing Schools in Montana
| Institution | City | Type | Tuition (In-State) | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana State University | Bozeman | Public | $8,083 | 14,472 |
| The University of Montana | Missoula | Public | $8,152 | 7,079 |
| Montana State University Billings | Billings | Public | $6,706 | 2,710 |
| Montana Technological University | Butte | Public | $8,050 | 1,428 |
| Flathead Valley Community College | Kalispell | Public | $4,748 | 1,169 |
| Carroll College | Helena | Private | $40,352 | 1,052 |
| Great Falls College Montana State University | Great Falls | Public | $3,904 | 828 |
| Montana State University-Northern | Havre | Public | $6,269 | 787 |
| Helena College University of Montana | Helena | Public | $3,975 | 641 |
| Salish Kootenai College | Pablo | Public | $4,311 | 568 |
| University of Providence | Great Falls | Private | $29,018 | 527 |
| Fort Peck Community College | Poplar | Public | $2,250 | 426 |
| Miles Community College | Miles City | Public | $5,648 | 353 |
| Little Big Horn College | Crow Agency | Public | $3,200 | 339 |
| Blackfeet Community College | Browning | Private | $3,610 | 240 |
| Dawson Community College | Glendive | Public | $4,485 | 226 |
| Stone Child College | Box Elder | Public | $3,610 | 187 |
| Montana Academy of Salons | Great Falls | For-Profit | N/A | 147 |
| Aaniiih Nakoda College | Harlem | Public | $3,600 | 108 |
Nursing Schools by City in Montana
Nursing Guides & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing schools are in Montana?
What is the average nursing school tuition in Montana?
What is the average graduation rate for nursing schools in Montana?
What is the average retention rate in Montana?
What do graduates from nursing schools in Montana earn?
What is the average student debt at nursing schools in Montana?
How much do registered nurses earn in Montana?
What is the RN job outlook for Montana?
Montana Nursing Market Context
BLS data for Montana shows an RN median annual wage of $76,430 and a mean of $78,370. The 10th to 90th percentile range runs from $57,310 to $101,410. Statewide RN employment is approximately 10,790 and the projected growth rate is 7 percent — above the national 6 percent figure.
Median program debt of $16,435 against a $76,430 RN median wage produces a manageable payback profile, helped by one of the lowest tuition averages in the country. The 7 percent projected growth rate translates to meaningful hiring opportunities, particularly in the Billings, Bozeman, and Missoula metros. The 90th-percentile figure of $101,410 reflects what experienced Montana RNs can reach. The state's vast geography means rural placements, often with retention bonuses, are a notable feature of the employment market.