Colleges of Montana

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Colleges of Montana are known for being among a landscape that includes the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains. The western side of the state is home to Glacier National Park and one of the top ski resorts in the country. On the eastern side of the state is prairie terrain where Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is located. No matter what side of the state you are on, there is plenty to do from snow-capped peaks, lakes, and hiking.

montana landscape with a mountain

The capital of Montana is Helena which has grand architecture, museums, and countless historical sites to visit. This city itself also offers shopping, art galleries, live music, great restaurants, local microbreweries, and a ton of outdoor activities.

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University of Montana

The University of Montana is in Missoula at the edge of the northern Rocky Mountains has around 11,000 students. It is located at the bottom of Mount Sentinel and has one of the state’s most popular hiking trails and part of it owned by the university. This small mountain was initially known as Mount Woody. It is located immediately east of the university and features a large 620 foot concrete “M” on the western face of the mountain. Many students enjoy hiking this.

Students rave about the University Center, known to many as the student union, due to having its own post office, bookstore, theater, game center, and even a Pizza Hut. The athletic teams participate in Division I sports. Their mascot the Monte, a grizzly bear, won National Mascot of the Year by his Motorcycle riding tricks and aired on EPSN. UM’s students can easily visit Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park within a few hours by car.

University of Montana Western

The University of Montana Western is in the town of Dillion, selected as one of America’s prettiest cities by Forbes magazine. Western lies on 34 beautiful acres and has about 1,300 students. It is close to several national parks, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Park.  UMW is one of the only colleges that works on a block schedule allowing you to focus on one class at a time rather than taking 4 courses at the same time. 

University of Montana Western students can savor a variety of home-cooked meals in the dining hall, sourced from local farmers’ produce and meat. The university also offers over 35 clubs and organizations for students to become a part of, along with numerous intramural sports teams. While Western does not partake in NCAA competitions, it maintains a spirited mascot, the Bulldog. Additionally, students enjoy close proximity to downtown, allowing them to explore local shops and restaurants at their leisure.

Montana State University System 

Montana State University is considered one of the largest universities in Montana. It is a collection of 3 universities and one community college scattered throughout the state, with over 17,000 students attending annually. The main campus in Bozeman and other schools are in Billings and Havre. Below is a brief description of each four-year university. 

Montana State University- Bozeman

Montana State University’s main campus is in Bozeman. MSU has over 100 fields to choose from, with its most popular degree in engineering. Fresh mountain air and access to Bozeman’s downtown area is popular among students. The town itself is the gateway for many travelers heading to the treasured Yellowstone National Park.  

Montana State University Bozeman houses the Museum of the Rockies, featuring some of the world’s oldest dinosaur fossils. Additionally, the university actively operates a planetarium, providing daily shows, and serves as the host for the College National Finals Rodeo. Furthermore, it proudly boasts numerous national champions at the Division I level.

Montana State University Billings

Montana State University in Billings enrolls approximately 4500 students. Its campus resides at the center of downtown, encompassing 110 acres. Billings, the second-largest city in Montana, ranks among the world’s top beer cities, boasting numerous breweries. Along with Downtown Billings being conveniently close to the University, Billings also has shopping, restaurants, and close access to hiking and biking trains and skiing.

Montana State University Billings is very walkable with lots of trees and trails. They offer on-campus housing with a variety of options. MSU Billings are members of the NCAA II and known as the Yellowjackets.

Montana State University-Northern 

Montana State University-Northern is in the city of Havre and is home to about 20 parks around the city. MSU Northern is home to about 1,200 students and the town is known for its underground shopping area and is close to the Canadian border.

Northern provides a variety of degrees for students, and the most popular ones are Nursing and Education. There are plenty of extracurricular clubs and activities students can participate in and meet some of their classmates. Their athletic teams are known as the Northern Lights for the men, and Skylights for the women. They have a mascot of a polar bear compete in NAIA Division I sports. The men’s wrestling team has won several national championships.

Community Colleges of Montana

Check out the many community colleges Montana has to choose from:

  • Miles Community College, Miles City
  • Little Big Horn College, Crow Agency
  • Chief Dull Knife College, Lame Deer
  • Fort Peck Community College, Poplar
  • Dawson Community College, Glendive
  • Stone Child College, Box Elder
  • Highlands College, Butte
  • Flathead Valley Community College, Kalispell
  • Great Falls College Montana State University, Great Falls
  • Aaniiih Nakoda College, Harlem
  • Helena College University of Montana, Helena
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