Montana Nursing Schools and Programs

Researching and then applying to accredited nursing schools in Montana can be a time-consuming task. For those just getting started in Nursing, we suggest that you focus on your near-term education goals and the Montana licensing requirements. The first question to ask yourself is: Do I want to begin my career in the state of Montana as a Nursing Assistant, Practical Nurse, or Registered Nurse? See our nursing education chart below for some insight into how long it takes to graduate from the most popular CNA, LPN, and RN nursing programs in Montana.

Chart of Montana nursing program lengths and average wages by type: Nursing Assistant (CNA), Practical Nurse (LPN), Registered Nurse (RN), and Nurse Practitioner (NP).

Montana Registered Nurse (RN) programs generally lead to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN), which typically lasts 2 years, or a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN), which lasts 4 years.

While earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN) or Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) is an important milestone for nurses, many Montana nursing school students gain meaningful work experience and earn an income upon completion of a shorter Certified Nursing Assistant or Licensed Practical Nursing program in the state of Montana.

Starting with a shorter CNA or LPN program can also strengthen your ASN or BSN application by showing commitment and clinical readiness. For those pursuing Montana RN licensure directly, associate degree programs are often more accessible than bachelor's programs. Earning your RN through an ASN, then advancing through an RN to BSN program or RN to MSN bridge, is a common and effective path in Montana.

Nursing Schools

List Of Nursing Schools In Montana

Below is our list of accredited nursing schools in Montana. In general, these colleges, universities, and training centers offer campus-based CNA, LPN, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs approved by the Montana Board of Nursing. RN schools in MT will generally offer an ADN, ASN, or BSN nursing degree. Advanced Practice (APRN) and Nurse Practitioner (NP) programs can be found at larger schools that offer MSN and DNP degrees.

Click the name of any Montana nursing school below to view the cost to attend, SAT and ACT scores, college or university characteristics, student body profile, satellite map of the surrounding area, and to view any additional nursing program information we have available in our database. Use the wishlist buttons provided to save institutions to a private list of nursing schools near you.

Aaniiih Nakoda College

269 Blackfeet Avenue, Harlem, MT 59526
406-353-2607

Aaniiih Nakoda College is a Public institution with a campus in Harlem, Montana. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Montana Board of Nursing. The Harlem, Montana campus for Aaniiih Nakoda College is located in a Rural setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 133. In-state tuition and fees were $3,080 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: ASN

  • Tuition Cost $3,080
  • Acceptance Rate Open
school

Blackfeet Community College

504 SE Boundary St, Browning, MT 59417
406-338-5441

Blackfeet Community College is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Browning, Montana. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Montana Board of Nursing. The Browning, Montana campus for Blackfeet Community College is located in a Rural setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 282. In-state tuition and fees were $3,610 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: BSN

  • Tuition Cost $3,610
  • Acceptance Rate Open
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Carroll College

1601 North Benton Ave, Helena, MT 59625
406-447-4300

Carroll College is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Helena, Montana. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Montana Board of Nursing. The Helena, Montana campus for Carroll College is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,168. In-state tuition and fees were $39,028 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: BSN

  • Tuition Cost $39,028
  • Room and Board $11,182
  • Acceptance Rate 78%
  • ACT Score 13-29
school

Flathead Valley Community College

777 Grandview Dr, Kalispell, MT 59901
406-756-3822

Flathead Valley Community College is a Public institution with a campus in Kalispell, Montana. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Montana Board of Nursing. The Kalispell, Montana campus for Flathead Valley Community College is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 2,201. In-state tuition and fees were $6,223 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: CNA, LPN, ASN, PRE

  • Tuition Cost $6,223
  • Room and Board $10,277
  • Acceptance Rate Open
school

Fort Peck Community College

605 Indian Street, Poplar, MT 59255
406-768-6300

Fort Peck Community College is a Public institution with a campus in Poplar, Montana. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Montana Board of Nursing. The Poplar, Montana campus for Fort Peck Community College is located in a Rural setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 534. In-state tuition and fees were $2,250 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: CNA, PRE

  • Tuition Cost $2,250
  • Room and Board $6,975
  • Acceptance Rate Open
school

Great Falls College Montana State University

2100 16th Avenue South, Great Falls, MT 59405
406-268-3700

Great Falls College Montana State University is a Public institution with a campus in Great Falls, Montana. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Montana Board of Nursing. The Great Falls, Montana campus for Great Falls College Montana State University is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,318. In-state tuition and fees were $4,028 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN, LPN-to-RN

  • Tuition Cost $4,028
  • Acceptance Rate Open
school

Helena College University of Montana

1115 North Roberts Street, Helena, MT 59601
406-447-6900

Helena College University of Montana is a Public institution with a campus in Helena, Montana. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Montana Board of Nursing. The Helena, Montana campus for Helena College University of Montana is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,423. In-state tuition and fees were $3,590 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN

  • Tuition Cost $3,590
  • Acceptance Rate Open
school

Highlands College of Montana Tech

25 Basin Creek Rd, Butte, MT 59701
406-496-3711

Highlands College of Montana Tech is a Public institution with a campus in Butte, Montana. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Montana Board of Nursing. The Butte, Montana campus for Highlands College of Montana Tech is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 699. In-state tuition and fees were $4,130 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: CNA

  • Tuition Cost $4,130
  • Room and Board $12,120
  • Acceptance Rate Open
school

Little Big Horn College

8645 South Weaver Drive, Crow Agency, MT 59022
406-638-3104

Little Big Horn College is a Public institution with a campus in Crow Agency, Montana. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Montana Board of Nursing. The Crow Agency, Montana campus for Little Big Horn College is located in a Rural setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 296. In-state tuition and fees were $3,200 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: PRE

  • Tuition Cost $3,200
  • Acceptance Rate Open
school

Miles Community College

2715 Dickinson Street, Miles City, MT 59301
800-541-9281

Miles Community College is a Public institution with a campus in Miles City, Montana. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Montana Board of Nursing. The Miles City, Montana campus for Miles Community College is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 670. In-state tuition and fees were $7,110 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: CNA, ASN

  • Tuition Cost $7,110
  • Room and Board $8,405
  • Acceptance Rate Open
school

Missoula College - University of Montana

1205 East Broadway Street, Missoula, MT 59802
406-243-7811

Missoula College - University of Montana is a Public institution with a campus in Missoula, Montana. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Montana Board of Nursing. The Missoula, Montana campus for Missoula College - University of Montana is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 9,955. In-state tuition and fees were $7,719 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN

  • Tuition Cost $7,719
  • Room and Board $11,608
  • Acceptance Rate 95%
school

Montana State University

Culbertson Hall, Bozeman, MT 59717
406-994-0211

Montana State University is a Public institution with a campus in Bozeman, Montana. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Montana Board of Nursing. The Bozeman, Montana campus for Montana State University is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 16,681. In-state tuition and fees were $7,727 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN, DNP

  • Tuition Cost $7,727
  • Room and Board $11,300
  • Acceptance Rate 73%
  • ACT Score 20-27
school

Montana State University - Billings

1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59101
406-657-2011

Montana State University - Billings is a Public institution with a campus in Billings, Montana. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Montana Board of Nursing. The Billings, Montana campus for Montana State University - Billings is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 4,092. In-state tuition and fees were $7,280 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: CNA, LPN, ASN, RN-to-BSN, PRE

  • Tuition Cost $7,280
  • Room and Board $9,980
  • Acceptance Rate Open
school

Montana State University - Northern

300 13th St West, Havre, MT 59501
406-265-3700

Montana State University - Northern is a Public institution with a campus in Havre, Montana. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Montana Board of Nursing. The Havre, Montana campus for Montana State University - Northern is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,140. In-state tuition and fees were $5,955 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: ASN, BSN, RN-to-BSN

  • Tuition Cost $5,955
  • Room and Board $6,470
  • Acceptance Rate Open
school

Montana Technological University

1300 West Park Street, Butte, MT 59701
406-496-4256

Montana Technological University is a Public institution with a campus in Butte, Montana. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Montana Board of Nursing. The Butte, Montana campus for Montana Technological University is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,622. In-state tuition and fees were $8,340 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: CNA, PRE, BSN

  • Tuition Cost $8,340
  • Room and Board $12,120
  • Acceptance Rate 90%
  • ACT Score 18-25
school

Salish Kootenai College

58138 US Highway 93, Pablo, MT 59855
406-275-4931

Salish Kootenai College is a Public institution with a campus in Pablo, Montana. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Montana Board of Nursing. The Pablo, Montana campus for Salish Kootenai College is located in a Rural setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 619. In-state tuition and fees were $6,399 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: ASN, BSN

  • Tuition Cost $6,399
  • Room and Board $7,020
  • Acceptance Rate Open
school

Stone Child College

8294 Upper Box Elder Road, Box Elder, MT 59521
406-395-4875

Stone Child College is a Public institution with a campus in Box Elder, Montana. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Montana Board of Nursing. The Box Elder, Montana campus for Stone Child College is located in a Rural setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 281. In-state tuition and fees were $2,645 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: PRE

  • Tuition Cost $2,645
  • Acceptance Rate Open
school

University of Providence

1301 20th Street South, Great Falls, MT 59405
406-761-8210

University of Providence is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Great Falls, Montana. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Montana Board of Nursing. The Great Falls, Montana campus for University of Providence is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 677. In-state tuition and fees were $30,448 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, Accelerated BSN, MSN, Post-MSN

  • Tuition Cost $30,448
  • Room and Board $11,284
  • Acceptance Rate 64%
  • ACT Score 16-24
school

How To Become

How do I become a nurse in Montana?

If you want to become a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Montana, you will need to complete a Registered Nurse training program. Registered Nurse programs generally last 2 to 4 years (see chart at the top of this page). Upon completion of your Montana registered nursing program, you will have to pass the nationwide NCLEX-RN exam. After you pass the NCLEX-RN exam, you will apply for a Registered Nurse license from the Montana Board of Nursing.

If you want to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the state of Montana, you will need to complete a Practical Nurse training program. Practical Nursing programs generally last 1 to 1.5 years (see chart at the top of this page). Upon completion of your Montana practical nursing program, you will have to pass the nationwide NCLEX-PN exam. After you pass the NCLEX-PN exam, you will apply for a Practical Nurse license from the Montana Board of Nursing.

How Long It Takes

How long is nursing school in Montana?

The amount of time you spend in a Montana nursing school will vary based on the career path you choose. You can become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in as little as 6 to 12 weeks. Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 1 to 1.5 years, a Montana Registered Nurse (RN) in 2 to 4 years, or stay in nursing school longer to become a Nurse Practitioner in 6 to 8 years.

Above on this page, we created a chart that summarizes how long nursing school is in Montana. That chart includes the number of nurses employed in the state of Montana, along with the average wages earned at each education level.

Notice that in the state of Montana, far greater numbers are employed as Registered Nurses (RN) compared to Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). Notice also that a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Montana earns far more in wages compared to a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

Use the nursing program acronyms CNA, LPN, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD to help identify which Montana nursing schools offer the length of program you desire.

Tuition Cost

How much does nursing school in Montana cost?

Tuition for a nursing school in Montana will cost between $3,000 to $6,000 per year for state residents seeking a two-year Associate degree, an ADN, or ASN, for example. The larger public four-year colleges and universities in Montana cost more, between $5,000 to $8,000 per year, for state residents seeking their Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN).

To help reduce the cost of nursing school in Montana, a student can generally take their pre-nursing courses at a smaller two-year college. Then, transfer those credits into the larger four-year college or university of your choice. Each college has its own method of awarding transfer credits for pre-nursing coursework. You will need to plan ahead and question the receiving school before you start your first pre-nursing class.

Difficulty

Is it hard to get into a Montana nursing school?

We list the quoted acceptance rate provided by each Montana nursing school. A college acceptance rate is calculated by dividing the number of accepted students by the number of total applicants. Reviewing the list of nursing schools in Montana provided above, we can see the acceptance rates range from about 50% to 100% or Open. SAT and ACT scores are displayed on each individual nursing school page.

If you are having trouble getting accepted into a Montana nursing school due to a below average GPA, SAT, or ACT score, here are two strategies which might help: 1) take your pre-nursing courses at your local community college then reapply later as a transfer student with an above average GPA, and, 2) get your Nursing Assistant or Practical Nurse license to help you gain experience and stand out from other college applicants.

Compact State

Is Montana a nursing compact state?

Yes, Montana is part of the nursing license compact. Montana recently enacted the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, which allows nurses to practice in all but a handful of states. This means that a Montana Licensed Practical Nurse or a Montana Registered Nurse can now apply for a multi-state nursing license.

Nursing Schools

Last updated: February 5, 2026

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