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Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Montana

2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Montana

9 Schools Ranked
$8,389 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$16,681 Avg Student Debt

With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.

The Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Montana ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 9 schools in Montana to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for trade school students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Trade Associate Degree Schools in Montana

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

University of Providence

Great Falls, Montana
1 Total Awards
$27,606 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named University of Providence the best school in Montana for trade school students working on their associate degree. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Great Falls, Montana, and it awarded 1 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at University of Providence is $27,606. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.

University of Providence is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Full University of Providence Report

53 Total Awards
$3,667 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,254 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Highlands College of Montana Tech. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Montana list. Highlands College of Montana Tech is located in Butte, Montana and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 53 associate degrees to qualified students.

Full-time students from Montana pay an average of $3,667 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Highlands College of Montana Tech. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,642. On average, associate degree students take out $13,254 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Highlands College of Montana Tech does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 29% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Highlands College of Montana Tech Report

104 Total Awards
$5,955 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,483 Avg Student Debt

The excellent associate degree programs at Montana State University - Northern helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Montana. Havre, Montana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 104 students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Montana State University - Northern is $5,955. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $18,665. Associate Degree recipients from Montana State University - Northern accumulate an average of $21,483 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Montana State University - Northern. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Montana State University - Northern

#4

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana
115 Total Awards
$7,727 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,147 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 9 schools in Montana that were part of this year’s ranking, Montana State University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Bozeman, Montana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 115 students in 2021-2022.

Students from Montana who attend MSU Bozeman full time pay an average of $7,727 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $29,604. Associate Degree recipients from MSU Bozeman accumulate an average of $16,147 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that MSU Bozeman does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 19% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Montana State University

202 Total Awards
$6,198 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,205 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Montana State University - Billings is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Billings, Montana, and it awarded 202 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Montana pay an average of $6,198 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Montana State University - Billings. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $19,924. On average, associate degree students take out $18,205 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Montana State University - Billings. During the 2020-2021 year, about 61% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#6

Miles Community College

Miles City, Montana
81 Total Awards
$6,240 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,203 Avg Student Debt

Miles Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Miles Community College is a very small public school located in Miles City, Montana that handed out 81 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Miles Community College is $6,240. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,110. Associate Degree recipients from Miles Community College accumulate an average of $17,203 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Miles Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2020-2021 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Miles Community College Report

#7

The University of Montana

Missoula, Montana
296 Total Awards
$7,719 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,416 Avg Student Debt

The University of Montana landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. UM is located in Missoula, Montana and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 296 associate degrees to qualified students.

Full-time students from Montana pay an average of $7,719 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UM. Out-of-state students pay an average of $29,634. Associate Degree recipients from UM accumulate an average of $19,416 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

UM does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 41% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on The University of Montana

138 Total Awards
$3,590 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,556 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, Helena College University of Montana did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Helena, Montana, the small public school handed out 138 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $3,590 in tuition and fees if they attend Helena College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,863. On average, associate degree students take out $17,556 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Helena College. In 2020-2021 about 41% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Helena College University of Montana Report

#9

Flathead Valley Community College

Kalispell, Montana
239 Total Awards
$6,798 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,104 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, Flathead Valley Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Kalispell, Montana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 239 students in 2021-2022.

Students from Montana who attend Flathead Valley Community College full time pay an average of $6,798 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,720. Associate Degree recipients from Flathead Valley Community College accumulate an average of $15,104 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Flathead Valley Community College. In fact, around 26% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Flathead Valley Community College

Best Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

View Best Trade Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 9 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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