How Colleges Are Organized in Montana

Montana is the fourth-largest state by area, but its population is small and spread thin. Its colleges reflect that. Campuses cluster in a few cities, while others sit in reservation towns and farm communities hours from the nearest interstate. Our directory covers both, from Billings and Bozeman to Browning, Crow Agency and Box Elder. Knowing who runs a college tells you whom to call about admission, transfer credit or a complaint.

The public four-year and two-year campuses belong to the Montana University System. The Board of Regents of Higher Education governs it, a body created by the state constitution. The Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education in Helena handles day-to-day administration. The system includes Montana State University in Bozeman, the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana State University-Billings, Montana State University-Northern in Havre and The University of Montana-Western in Dillon. It also includes Helena College University of Montana. Each campus runs its own admissions office, but tuition policy, residency rules and transfer guidelines follow system-wide policy.

Two community colleges in our listings, Dawson Community College in Glendive and Miles Community College, work differently. They are governed by locally elected boards of trustees and supported partly by local district levies. They coordinate with the Regents on matters such as transfer, but they answer first to their own communities.

Seven tribal colleges form a third group. Each is chartered by a tribal government and serves a reservation. Most welcome non-Native students as well. They are accredited on their own, and their programs often focus on tribal language, culture, early childhood education and workforce training.

Private nonprofit schools make up the fourth group, including Rocky Mountain College in Billings, the University of Providence in Great Falls and Montana Bible College in Bozeman. The University of Mary and Walla Walla University also run Billings campuses from out of state. These institutions are not part of the Montana University System. They set their own tuition and answer to their own boards and accreditors.

Beauty schools and trade academies are the fifth group. They are small, career-focused and regulated separately, as the cosmetology section below explains.

Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls and Helena: Where Montana's Campuses Cluster

Billings offers the widest choice in one place. Yellowstone County holds Montana State University-Billings at 1500 University Drive (406-657-2011) and Rocky Mountain College at 1511 Poly Drive (406-657-1000). It also holds the University of Mary Billings Campus at 3220 2nd Avenue North (406-256-1738) and the Walla Walla University Montana-Billings Campus at 2520 5th Avenue South (888-263-4880). Bold Beauty Academy, at 928 Broadwater Avenue (406-252-3232), covers licensing-track training. A student can compare a public university, private colleges and a beauty academy without leaving the county.

Bozeman is built around Montana State University, the state's land-grant campus, reachable at 406-994-0211. Gallatin County also lists Montana Bible College at 3625 South 19th Avenue (406-586-3585) and Health Works Institute at 111 South Grand Avenue (406-582-1555). Housing is tight in Bozeman, so students who plan to live off campus should start looking early.

Great Falls is anchored by the University of Providence, a Catholic institution at 1301 20th Street South (406-761-8210). Students in north-central Montana often pick it for its health-care programs and small classes. Billings and Great Falls are separated by a long drive, so consider travel time before assuming that "nearby" options are practical.

Helena, the state capital, hosts Helena College University of Montana at 1115 North Roberts Street (406-447-6900). It is a two-year college offering certificates and associate degrees, including options that feed into University of Montana bachelor's programs. Our Lewis and Clark County page lists the Helena area campuses. Butte's listing in our database is Butte Academy of Beauty Culture at 303 West Park Street (406-782-6297), and Missoula's is Modern Beauty School, Inc at 2036 Mullan Road (406-721-1800).

Reservation and Rural Colleges Across the Hi-Line and Eastern Montana

Outside the cities, a college is often the largest educational institution for a hundred miles. Our listings include all seven tribal colleges:

These colleges are small by design. Classes are small, advising is personal, and programs are tuned to local jobs. Students who are enrolled members of a tribe should ask the financial aid office about tribal scholarships and state tuition waivers for Native American students. Eligibility rules differ by program, so get the details from the office directly.

Four more rural campuses fill out the map. Montana State University-Northern sits at 300 11th Street West in Havre (406-265-3700), and The University of Montana-Western at 710 South Atlantic Street in Dillon (406-683-7011). Dawson Community College is at 300 College Drive in Glendive (406-377-3396). Miles Community College is on Dickinson Street (800-541-9281).

Practical points matter more in these places. Housing may be limited or may come in small residence halls. Winter weather can close highways and delay a visit, so call ahead before driving a long way. Bring paper copies of transcripts if you plan to apply in person.

Beauty Schools and Career Training Licensed in Montana

Cosmetology and similar trades follow a different path from degree programs. Beauty schools are proprietary institutions. Graduates must be licensed to work, and licensing sits with the cosmetology board housed in the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, not with the Board of Regents. Your hours, coursework and exam results all count toward that license. Confirm the required hours and current rules with the board before you sign an enrollment agreement.

Our listings include Bold Beauty Academy in Billings, Butte Academy of Beauty Culture, Modern Beauty School in Missoula and Crevier's Academy of Cosmetology Arts at 240 West Idaho Street in Kalispell (406-257-2525). Bitterroot School of Cosmetology serves Hamilton at 2079 North 1st Street (406-363-3355). Health Works Institute in Bozeman offers health-related training. Ask each school these questions:

Steps to Take Before You Contact a Montana College

A little preparation saves a lot of phone tag. Work through these steps in order:

Public colleges and universities in Montana offer residents access to affordable higher education, professional certifications, and workforce training. The Montana state legislature oversees funding and policy for public institutions, while individual governing boards manage each campus.

Colleges locations are available in 19 cities across Montana. They are spread across 19 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration include Bozeman, Billings, Great Falls, reflecting the presence of major university campuses and community college districts serving large student populations.

Prospective students in Montana should research in-state tuition rates, available degree programs, and financial aid options at public institutions, as these factors vary significantly between community colleges and four-year universities.

Colleges by Counties

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Students in Montana applying to public colleges and universities should complete the FAFSA as early as possible to maximize eligibility for federal and state financial aid. Many Montana institutions also offer state-specific grant programs with additional eligibility criteria.

Browse Colleges by county across Montana to find the nearest location.

Planning Around Montana's Distances and Winters

Montana colleges are far apart, and that shapes every decision. Montana State University and Montana State University-Billings are over two hours apart by interstate. Havre and Great Falls are separated by a long stretch of US Highway 2 and other roads. Check the Montana Department of Transportation road report before any winter trip, and allow extra time between October and April.

Many students start at a nearby two-year or tribal college, then transfer. Others use online classes to avoid a move. If you live near Great Falls, the Cascade County page shows local options. In north-central Montana, the Hill County page covers Havre. Students on the Blackfeet Reservation can start with the Glacier County listing for Browning.

The Board of Regents of Higher Education governs the Montana University System, which includes Montana State University, the University of Montana and their affiliated campuses. The Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education in Helena carries out board policy and handles system-wide matters such as tuition policy and transfer. For questions about a particular class, bill or grade, start with the campus itself. Contact the registrar, financial aid office or dean first, and use the commissioner's office only if a campus cannot resolve the issue.

Most of them welcome non-Native students, and many enroll people from nearby towns. Stone Child College in Box Elder, Blackfeet Community College in Browning and Little Big Horn College in Crow Agency all take applications from the general public. Tuition and aid can differ for tribal members, so ask the admissions office what applies to you. If you are an enrolled member, ask about tribal higher education grants as well. Call the college before applying, because programs and deadlines vary from one reservation to another.

Montana University System campuses generally ask students to live in the state for about a year, with intent to stay, before they count as residents for tuition. Documents such as a Montana driver's license, voter registration, a lease or tax filings help show that. Rules have exceptions for dependents, military families and others, so ask the registrar at MSU, MSU-Billings, MSU-Northern or UM-Western. Students from other western states may also qualify for the Western Undergraduate Exchange discount at participating campuses, which is separate from residency.

Most degree-granting colleges in Montana are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, which publishes a list of its member institutions. You can also look up a school in the U.S. Department of Education's College Navigator tool. Accreditation matters for federal aid and for transferring credits. Beauty schools and trade academies may hold programmatic or national accreditation instead. Ask the school directly which accreditor reviews it, and request the answer in writing before you pay a deposit or sign an enrollment agreement.

Cosmetologists are licensed through the cosmetology board in the Montana Department of Labor & Industry. Training hours and exams are required, so confirm the current rules with the board. Schools in our directory include Modern Beauty School in Missoula (406-721-1800), Butte Academy of Beauty Culture (406-782-6297) and Bitterroot School of Cosmetology in Hamilton (406-363-3355). Ask each school for its total cost, schedule, first-attempt exam pass rate and whether it takes federal aid. Compare at least two schools before enrolling.

Start with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, which most Montana campuses use to award federal and state aid. Many schools also have their own priority deadlines for scholarships, so check early. The Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education also administers state student aid and loan programs. Each campus has a financial aid office that can explain what you qualify for. Tribal college students should also ask about tribal and federal programs tied to their enrollment.

Billings has several campuses in our directory. Montana State University-Billings is at 1500 University Drive (406-657-2011), and Rocky Mountain College is at 1511 Poly Drive (406-657-1000). The University of Mary Billings Campus (406-256-1738) and the Walla Walla University Montana-Billings Campus (888-263-4880) add private options. Bold Beauty Academy is at 928 Broadwater Avenue (406-252-3232). Call ahead to schedule a campus tour or an advising appointment, since walk-in availability varies by office and semester.