Montana Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
If you’re planning to become a teacher in Montana, you’ll need to complete a state-approved educator preparation program at an accredited college or university. This guide is designed to help you research your options among Montana’s teaching schools and programs. Below, you’ll find a comparison table of approved institutions, along with a list of respected and affordable programs to support your search for the right path toward a teaching career in Montana.
Table of Contents
- MT Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 7 Affordable MT Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of Montana Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares 10 Montana teacher preparation programs across key factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the Montana Board of Public Education (BPE). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our Montana traditional certification guide and our Montana alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
| State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Net Price3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carroll College | No | 29 | 14 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $24,037 |
| Montana State University | Yes | 272 | 137 | N.Av. | 30 | 21 | N.Av. | $17,656 |
| Montana State University-Billings | Yes | 296 | 114 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $12,025 |
| Montana State University-Northern | No | 31 | 14 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $11,851 |
| Rocky Mountain College | No | 63 | 15 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $20,615 |
| Salish Kootenai College | No | 33 | 3 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $5,893 |
| Stone Child College | No | 51 | 9 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $7,409 |
| University of Montana | Yes | 240 | 108 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $15,220 |
| University of Montana Western | Yes | 683 | 110 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $11,679 |
| University of Providence | No | 27 | 2 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $25,023 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Montana
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These seven most affordable schools have a net price under $25,000.
- Salish Kootenai College ($5,893)
- Stone Child College ($7,409)
- University of Montana Western ($11,679)
- Montana State University-Northern ($11,851)
- Montana State University-Billings ($12,025)
- University of Montana ($15,220)
- Montana State University ($17,656)3
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The 12 Montana schools below offer associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Aaniih Nakoda College
- Blackfeet Community College
- Chief Dull Knife College
- Dawson Community College
- Flathead Valley Community College
- Fort Peck Community College
- Little Big Horn College
- Miles Community College
- Montana State University–Billings*
- Salish Kootenai College*
- Stone Child College*
- University of Montana Western*
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
3. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/