Montana is one of the 14 states under the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), one of the organizations committed to the sharing of resources in higher education systems in the Western United States. The student exchange program of WICHE provides students of all levels the capacity to request decreased tuition rates in college programs outside the home states. WICHE has estimated that Montana families save about $8 million during the most recent school year through enrolment in interstate exchange programs. Numerous academic institutions provide complete online degree programs at reduced tuition rates.
The Montana Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) may benefit from the state’s higher education consortium, which encourages the dynamic exchange of concepts or ideas and professional development through teacher training and educational leadership programs, having a goal to establish a more competitive education system in Montana.
Research from the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana-Missoula has supported the efficiency of online learning upon earning a college degree. Online schools in Montana provide students with the flexibility to learn conveniently, on their schedule and pace, and in the absence to live or commute on campus.
Montana is considered to be the home of a comprehensive online education system, which includes six public four-year universities, 13 public community colleges, a few private colleges, tribal schools, and technical schools. The state also has online courses for students at the primary level at K to 12. There are six public universities and five community colleges, mostly two-year colleges, that feature online degree programs, and coursework. A smaller number of private schools, such as the University of Great Falls and the Rocky Mountain College also have distance learning studies. The Montana Digital Academy has district programs and single courses. Nevertheless, there are no fully online schools at the K-12 level.
In 2012, 3,410 Montana students completed their education through online education. The online programs are famous for offering not just accredited degree programs, but a wide range of support services to guarantee that students benefit from online learning.
METHODOLOGY
As online schools in the State of Montana continue to grow in number to meet the demand for flexible learning, we feature 5 Top Online Schools in Montana. Coming up with this list required top-flight academic features, as evaluated by the researchers at OnlineSchoolsCenter.com. These online universities, community colleges, vocational and technical colleges provide a superior range of online degree program prospects, considering these factors:
- A renowned online faculty composed of instructors who have made a significant contribution to their industry,
- Rigorous online degree programs and extensive curricula that rival those that are offered on-campus,
- A healthy student-teacher ratio that promotes a more focused learning approach,
- Fully recognized by accrediting agencies to prove adherence to high academic standards.
Learn about our ranking process by visiting our Methodology Page.
University of Montana
The University of Montana is one of the public research universities in the state that provides online degrees, professional development courses, and certificates. The university has robust public health and education programs, and it also has master’s degree programs in public health, public administration, educational leadership, and curriculum studies. There are also bachelor’s and master’s degree programs concentrated on music, visual art, and digital media in the university. Each degree can be completed entirely online, and there are also online minors specifically in communication studies and anthropology, and online certificate programs, such as nonprofit administration, forensic studies, and customer relations, to aid students in gaining additional knowledge related to their chosen fields of study.
The university features the “RevUp” program, which is a collaboration with local community colleges and the state government of Montana to prepare students for higher wages in different fields. It also allows transfer credits from students who have graduated from high school or have earned a GED or an equivalent graduate degree.
Location: Missoula, Montana
Admission Requirements:
- At least 2.0 GPA for transfer students
- At least 3.0 GPA for undergraduate students
- Three letters of recommendation
- A written letter of intent
- Official high school or GED transcripts
- At least 12 college level-credits
Accreditations:
- Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Montana State University
Montana State University (MSU), founded in 1893, is the largest private university in the state. MSU also has specializations in non-traditional areas not present in any university or college. As this academic institution has close ties with the state’s culture and geographical aspect, there are also degree programs in environmental sciences, land resources, and agricultural education. The university also has highly competent programs and student services that enable students to earn numerous graduate degrees and graduate certifications, and an undergraduate degree completion program in liberal studies for returning students. Some of its online graduate degree programs include financial planning and education. Nursing, addiction counseling, and native American studies are some of the online graduate certificate programs offered.
Coursework is delivered in an asynchronous format, and there are readings, regular assignments, and due dates that can be seen through the Brightspace platform. This platform is a useful website that utilizes the latest technology for the maximum educational experience. Through Brightspace, online students have the opportunity to communicate with teachers, manage coursework, and collaborate with their peers in their own homes.
Location: Bozeman, Montana
Admission Requirements:
- 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher for undergraduate students
- Combined GRE score of 300 or greater
- ACT composite score of 22
- SAT combined score of 1120
- Admission essays
- Letters of recommendation
- Completion of at least 12 college credits (out-of-state transfer students)
- At least 2.0 GPA and in good standing (out-of-state transfer students)
Accreditations:
- Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
University of Montana-Western
The University of Montana-Western (UMW) is considered to be one of the oldest universities in the state which was founded in 1897. The university has evolved into a highly competent liberal arts college. It is also well-recognized for its commitment to affordability, flexibility, and friendliness with Dillon, Montana. The university also has a focused and individualized learning environment to aid students and enable them to get much of their educational needs.
The university provides online teacher certification courses and multiple career advancement through the School of Outreach. Among these courses are Design, Hospitality, and Software Training like database training, word processing, and much more. Various majors are available such as the environmental sciences, equine studies, English, biology, fine arts, and education.
Highly competent instructors with real-world experiences teach online coursework, and most programs are interactive. They have lesser lecture time in terms of assignments, group activities, and research projects. The university is also flexible with regards to the manner and duration of taking classes, enabling students to take courses at the Experience One program. Another program is the Ed2Go, a widely utilized online educational tool that is highly flexible. Students attend one class at a time, and small online class sizes mean a higher probability to interact well with faculty.
Location: Dillon, Montana
Admission Requirements:
- Minimum high school GPA of 2.5
- ACT or SAT scores
- Complete the admissions application and prerequisites
- Must be in the top half of the high school graduating class
Accreditation:
- Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
University of Providence
The University of Providence, founded in 1937, was a joint effort of the Ursuline Nuns and the Sisters of Charity. Since the university has a small population, teachers can give a level of individual attention and care that guarantees success. The academic institution has about 51 online undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. Among these are psychology, sociology, ministry, and theology. They also have graduate programs in the fields of criminal justice, management, and accounting.
Online students may set their respective pace through Moodle, or follow a preset learning pace carefully through Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. Synchronous programs are offered through Blackboard while asynchronous programs, on the other hand, are provided through Moodle. All online students pay per-credit tuition, and this made the University of Providence as one of the most cost-efficient online colleges in Montana.
Location: Great Falls, Montana
Admission Requirements:
- No minimum GPA requirements for admission
- High school or GED transcripts required
Accreditation:
- Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Montana Tech (of the University of Montana)
Montana Tech is an academic institution that has a long tradition of academic excellence. It was initially established as a research institute for the study of engineering and Earth Science to coincide with the state’s expanding mining industry. It has now offered degree programs in social sciences, liberal arts, technical training, historical engineering, and science. The goal of the academic institution is to equip graduates for successful careers through the provision of expert instructors and the latest technology.
The university utilizes a combination of purely online classes, hybrid classes, and video conferencing classes. There are five fully online programs at Montana Tech namely, B.S. in Nursing Completion (Post-Licensure), Healthcare Informatics Graduate Certificate, Healthcare Informatics Technology Certificate, M.S. in Project Engineering and Management, and M.S. in Industrial Hygiene.
Montana Tech utilizes Moodle, an easy-to-use website to manage online courses. Moodle allows for better coursework management and access to reading materials, tests, and quizzes. Some virtual mentors help aid students in their academic journey. Students can access on-campus resources and offices like financial aid houses, the library, the business office, and career services. Online coursework can be delivered in an asynchronous format. Online students have access to virtual mentors to assist them with their coursework.
Montana Tech also takes pride in its affordable tuition and various financial aid opportunities to their students. Financial aid opportunities may include work-study programs, student loans, grants, and scholarships.
Location: Butte, Montana
Academic Requirements:
- Minimum ACT composite score of 22
- Minimum SAT total score of 1120
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
- Must belong to the top half of the class
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
For numerous students, going to a two-year or four-year academic institution full-time may not be possible. Because most students work either full-time or part-time and have family obligations, most universities and colleges are now offering online programs. Students may earn bachelor’s or master’s degrees entirely online, and some schools provide professional educational alternatives like certificate programs.
College students and highly competent professionals may benefit from being in an online university or college. Whether one is looking for higher wages, a rewarding career, and more expertise, an online program aids in the student’s pursuit for professional ambitions and academic interests. At present, numerous online options are available. Therefore, online students need to consider their educational goals and their budget to aid them in looking for the ideal program.
For Montana students, there are several opportunities to look for an affordable degree program. While online education has more flexibility than an exclusively residential curriculum, there are numerous advantages in going to a local online academic institution, and this includes accessibility to lower tuition rates and scholarship opportunities.
The average tuition in Montana schools was $6,267 from 2012 to 2013, and this rate is below the national mean, which is $8,070. At present, the state has allocated around $226,961,354 to public postsecondary education.
METHODOLOGY
Perhaps you assume not everyone is able to afford a college degree, but the 5 Best Value Online Schools in Montana that we have put together proves otherwise! These online schools emphasize top-quality distance education programs that shape the most competent future professionals without breaking their budget.
Montana State University-Billings
Montana State University-Billings is regarded as the most extensive, primary university in the Montana State University system founded in 1927. The university has become a state leader in community enhancement, civic engagement, and academics. The university has numerous degrees as that of associate to master degree levels through five accredited colleges. Aside from its 21 fully online programs, the university has five professional certificate programs in human resource management and accounting.
Students have different online learning platforms like career services, advising, coursework, and class discussions. The online programs can aid online students in being accepted into internships across regions while earning a degree at their convenience. Coursework is delivered both asynchronously and synchronously.
Out-of-state students pay higher tuition rates compared to in-state students. Nevertheless, non-resident tuition is low, and this is the reason why the school is one of the most cost-efficient colleges in Montana. Annual tuition is $5,826.
Location: Billings, Montana
Admission Requirements:
- At least 2.0 GPA
- At least 12 college-level credits earned for non-resident transfer students
Accreditation:
- Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
University of Montana
The University of Montana (UM) has been one of the most successful research institutions that cater to students across the world. This university is best known for its schools of Forestry and Conservation, which provide sustainability degrees and courses. Aside from this, the academic institution has a unique School of Extended and Lifelong Learning that caters to nontraditional students, adult learners, and those who want to pursue their academics at the university level.
UM Online establishes creative and innovative learning opportunities for higher learning and caters to a diverse student population through its twelve fully online programs and eleven certificate programs. UM’s coursework is delivered asynchronously, but hybrid learning formats are also offered.
Out-of-state online students pay higher tuition rates compared to in-state students, but the University of Montana is still considered one of the most inexpensive academic institutions in the state. Online students are also qualified for scholarships. Tuition per year is $6,238.
Montana State University-Northern
Montana State University-Northern (MSU-Northern) has numerous programs from the associate to the master’s degree level. It is regarded as one of the top-notch universities in Montana. This academic institution has specialized programs catering to a large geographical area in numerous ways, while directly assisting the state’s economic and societal needs. The university has a diverse student population through its online programs that aid students towards career advancement and stability of income.
MSU-Northern has nine comprehensive, purely online degree programs at the associate and bachelor’s degree levels, like criminal justice, business, and community leadership plus another graduate degree which is a master’s degree in instruction and learning. Concentrations and majors involve criminal justice, nursing, and community leadership. MSU-Northern’s nursing program is an online degree completion program in which students can earn their undergraduate degree in nursing.
The online platform of the university is Desire2Learn, and it usually caters to non-traditional colleges. Coursework, delivered in an asynchronous format, is ideal for those with busy schedules or those who cannot participate in real-time classroom discussions.
Out-of-state or in-state online students typically pay about $50 extra per credit hour for their classes. Annual tuition is $5,371. Online, out-of-state students usually pay higher tuition compared to in-state students, yet the school has numerous scholarship opportunities. This guarantees the fact that MSU Northern is also considered as one of the most affordable universities in the state.
Location: Havre, Montana
Admission Requirements:
- Minimum 2.5 high school GPA for freshman applicants
- At least 20 ACT score
- At least 1440 on the SAT
- Placement in the top half of high school class
- Minimum 2.0 GPA for transfer applicants
- At least 12 college-level credits
Accreditation:
- Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Great Falls College-MSU
Great Falls College-MSU is an accredited, comprehensive two-year academic institution serving the regional Great Falls community. The college has numerous educational programs in trades, technology, health sciences and transfer programs for those looking for an undergraduate degree. This academic institution has active participation with its regional partners towards supporting employers with a highly competent workforce.
The academic institution, Montana State University (MSU), is considered a leader in distance learning education, where students may complete their program without the need for physical presence in classes. The online program is fit for working adults who wish to earn a degree or further education while maintaining vocational or professional careers. Some of its full and part-time online programs include Associate of Arts or Sciences, Accounting and Pharmacy Technician, Health Information Coding Specialty, and Healthcare Informatics Technician.
Great Falls College also has an online-only tuition rate for out-of-state students, and this usually is less than the in-state tuition in other schools. Annual tuition is $3,130.
Location: Great Falls, Montana
Admission Requirements:
- Official High School or GED transcripts
- SAT or ACT scores
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Montana State University
Montana State University (MSU), founded in 1927, is considered to be one of the largest, primarily academic institutions in the MSU system. The university has been known to be one of the state leaders in terms of community enhancement, civic engagement, and academics. Aside from its 21 purely online degree programs, MSU also has five professional certificate programs in specific areas such as human resource management and accounting.
Students take on various learning platforms, such as advising and career services, online coursework, and online class discussions to assist online students in pursuing internships in the state and earning their degrees conveniently and remotely. The coursework is delivered online in synchronous and asynchronous formats, depending on the degree program.
Annual tuition is $5,826. Out-of-state students typically pay higher tuition compared to in-state students. Nevertheless, nonresident tuition is still low, and this enabled the university to be recognized as one of the most affordable academic institutions in Montana.
Location: Bozeman, Montana
Admission Requirements:
- 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher for undergraduate students
- Combined GRE score of 300 or greater
- ACT composite score of 22
- SAT combined score of 1120
- Admission essays
- Letters of recommendation
- Completion of at least 12 college credits (out-of-state transfer students)
- At least 2.0 and in good standing (out-of-state transfer students)
Accreditation:
- Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
