2023 Best Online Colleges in Montana

Montana State University - Billings (MSU - Billings) is a public university with a selection of online undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as online certificates. The majority of the school's bachelor's programs fall within the field of Business Administration, with five concentration options: (1) Accounting, (2) Finance, (3) General Business, (4) Management, and (5) Marketing. Additionally, they have online degrees such as a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science. Among the other degree levels, students can explore subjects in business, healthcare, and education, to name a few options.

All coursework at MSU - Billings is delivered through the Brightspace learning management system (LMS). MSU-Billings offers academic advising, online libraries, career planning, and online tutoring.

Montana State University (MSU) is a public institution with a 73% acceptance rate and a 55% graduation rate. Most of the online programs offered by MSU are master’s degree programs and certificates, but the university also offers a bachelor of arts degree completion program in liberal studies. The online master’s degree programs require 30 credit hours, including a capstone course, and these typically take 2-3 years. The Bachelor of Arts, which is for students with an associate degree who need to complete their bachelor’s degree online, typically takes two years to complete. MSU expects students to spend 9-12 hours a week working on their online coursework, which includes readings, activities, and discussion with other students.

At MSU, students use Brightspace to access their coursework, which is online and asynchronous. Some online degree programs may require in-person field work or practical hours, but almost all tests and assignments can be turned in online. Online students have access to the university library, tutoring services, and academic advising. MSU recommends that students engage with their online classmates and attend their instructors’ online office hours to take full advantage of their online program.

The University of Montana (UM) is a public institution with a graduation rate of 45% and an 82% acceptance rate. UM offers online associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs in fields such as public administration, public health, social work, and education. UM's online bachelor’s degree programs take an average of four years to complete and require a minimum of 111 credit hours. UMOnline suggests logging into online classes at least three times a week, along with communicating with instructors and participating in class discussions. UM also offers field learning, credit for experience, and continuing training for professionals.

At UM, students use Moodle to access their coursework, which is 100% online and may be either synchronous or asynchronous. Online students have access to the university library, tutoring services, and academic advisors. UM also hosts The Peer Connection Network, a student-based production group that creates video guides and tutorials for current online students. The university promotes online education that encourages continued learning and supports student goals.

The University of Providence (UP) is a private, Catholic institution situated in Great Falls, MT. The school offers all levels of online degrees, from the associate level up to the graduate level. There are nine undergraduate programs that fall within two general subject areas: healthcare and law. Examples of bachelor's programs include a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. At the graduate level, there are 10 programs to choose from that include a broader range of subjects, such as sports management, clinical mental health, and accounting.

Students have the unique advantage of choosing how they want to engage in their coursework by taking synchronous courses through the LMS Blackboard or asynchronous courses through Moodle, another popular LMS. Students can participate in orientation remotely and use the school's career services to prepare for life after graduation.