Campus & online schools
Nursing Schools in Montana: Campus & Online Programs (2026)
3 nursing schools have campuses in Montana, plus accredited online programs open to residents. Compare programs accepting applications below.
- Campus schools
- 3
- Located in Montana
- Online schools
- 41
- Enroll residents
- Average RN salary
- $88,480
- BLS
Programs accepting applications
Montana programs accepting applications
Programs currently enrolling Montana residents. Our own ranking of Montana schools follows below.
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Montana has 3 campus-based nursing schools plus 41 accredited online programs open to residents (2026). Registered nurses in Montana earn about $88,480/year (BLS). Verify each program's ACEN or CCNE accreditation before enrolling.
Key takeaways — nursing schools in Montana
- Montana has 3 campus-based nursing schools and 41 accredited online programs available to residents.
- Registered nurses in Montana earn an average of $88,480 per year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
- Verify each program's ACEN or CCNE accreditation before enrolling — it is the baseline for federal financial aid, NCLEX eligibility, and graduate nursing study.
- Online pre-licensure programs must hold Montana Board of Nursing approval and arrange in-state clinical placements — verify both before enrolling.
Campus-Based Nursing Schools in Montana
Accredited nursing schools with a campus in Montana. Outcome data is added as state boards publish it.
| School | NCLEX Pass Rate | Acceptance Rate | Accreditation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flathead Valley Community College | N/A | — | NLN CNEA | View School |
| Missoula College – University of Montana | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| Montana State University – College of Nursing | N/A | 80% | CCNE | View School |
Find Montana nursing schools near you
Narrow this list to programs near your ZIP, the degree you want, and your start date.
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Online Nursing Programs Available to Montana Residents
These accredited schools are based outside Montana but enroll Montana residents online. Confirm clinical-placement and Montana Board of Nursing approval before enrolling in any pre-licensure RN program.
How We Evaluate Nursing Schools in Montana
We separate schools with a physical campus in Montana from accredited online programs that enroll Montana residents, because the two answer different questions — one is about studying locally, the other about studying from Montana. Within each group we weight NCLEX first-time pass rate most heavily; it is the strongest available predictor of how well a program prepares graduates for licensure.
Accreditation is non-negotiable: we only include schools accredited by ACEN or CCNE, or regionally accredited programs with state board approval. We also consider acceptance rate (program selectivity), program variety across degree levels (LPN through doctoral), and value relative to regional salary expectations. Where a school has not yet reported outcome data, we show it without inventing a number.
What to Look for in a Montana Nursing School
The most important factor is NCLEX pass rate. The national first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for U.S.-educated candidates was 86.7% in 2025 (NCSBN), down from 91.2% in 2024. Programs consistently above 90% have demonstrated they effectively prepare students for licensure. Ask schools for their three-year average pass rate — a single good year can be an anomaly.
Accreditation matters for several reasons beyond quality assurance. CCNE- or ACEN-accredited programs make you eligible for federal financial aid, qualify you for military service, and meet the requirements for most graduate nursing programs if you plan to advance your career later.
Consider clinical placement. Hospitals in Montana often have affiliation agreements with specific nursing schools, giving graduates an inside track to jobs. If you are considering an online program based outside Montana, confirm that it arranges clinical placements within Montana and is approved by the Montana Board of Nursing for pre-licensure study.
Nursing Career Outlook in Montana
Registered nurses in Montana earn an average of $88,480 annually. The BLS projects nursing employment to grow 6% nationally through 2032 — faster than the average for all occupations — driven by an aging population and expanded access to healthcare. Montana is expected to see strong demand in hospitals, outpatient care centers, and home health settings.
BSN-prepared nurses command higher salaries and have access to broader roles. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that 80% of nursing positions now prefer or require a BSN. If you currently hold an ADN, many schools serving Montanaoffer flexible RN-to-BSN completion programs you can complete while working.