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2026 Best Trade Schools in Montana
Looking for the best Trade degree programs in Montana? We have ranked 29 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Trade College analyzed 20 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Trade Degree Schools in Montana
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Our analysis found Highlands College Of Montana Tech to be the best Trade school in Montana. Highlands College Of Montana Tech is a public school based in Butte, MT. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,127, while out-of-state students pay about $10,948. The median Trade program debt is $2,750. See the full Highlands College Of Montana Tech profile
Out of the 20 schools in Montana in this year's ranking, University Of Great Falls landed the #2 spot. University Of Great Falls is a private not-for-profit school based in Great Falls, MT. The six-year graduation rate is 21%. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,448. University Of Great Falls Trade students take on a median of $23,847 in debt. Get the full University Of Great Falls report
Montana State University Northern came in at #3 on this year's Trade ranking in Montana. Based in Havre, MT, Montana State University Northern is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. In-state tuition and fees average $6,982, while out-of-state students pay about $21,875. Graduates carry a median of $23,855 in student loans. More on Montana State University Northern
The strong Trade programs at Montana State University earned it the #4 place in Montana. Set in Bozeman, MT, Montana State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. The median Trade program debt is $23,635. More on Montana State University
Out of the 20 schools in Montana in this year's ranking, Montana State University Billings landed the #5 spot. Montana State University Billings is a public school based in Billings, MT. About 34% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,280, compared with $22,897 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $25,465. See the full Montana State University Billings profile
Miles Community College did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Miles City, MT, Miles Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,500, with out-of-state students paying around $11,220. Students borrow a median of $20,574 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Miles Community College
The University Of Montana did well this year, earning the #7 position. The University Of Montana is a public school based in Missoula, MT. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. The University Of Montana Trade students take on a median of $24,342 in debt. Read more about The University Of Montana
Helena College University Of Montana did well this year, earning the #8 position. Helena College University Of Montana is a public school based in Helena, MT. In-state tuition and fees average $4,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,278. Helena College University Of Montana Trade students take on a median of $19,906 in debt. Read the full report on Helena College University Of Montana
Flathead Valley Community College came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Located in Kalispell, MT, Flathead Valley Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,912, with out-of-state students paying around $11,659. Students borrow a median of $16,094 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Flathead Valley Community College
Rocky Mountain College landed the #10 spot in Montana this year. Located in Billings, MT, Rocky Mountain College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. Students from in state pay about $35,582 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,666 to complete their Trade program here. More on Rocky Mountain College
Academy Of Cosmetology Bozeman ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Read the full report on Academy Of Cosmetology Bozeman
Little Big Horn College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. More on Little Big Horn College
Stone Child College landed the #13 spot in Montana this year. Read the full report on Stone Child College
Chief Dull Knife College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Get the full Chief Dull Knife College report
Montana Academy Of Salons did well this year, earning the #15 position. Get the full Montana Academy Of Salons report
The University Of Montana Western landed the #16 spot in Montana this year. Read more about The University Of Montana Western
Dawson Community College placed #17 among Trade schools in Montana. More on Dawson Community College
Creviers Academy Of Cosmetology Arts came in at #18 in this year's ranking. More on Creviers Academy Of Cosmetology Arts
Montana Bible College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. See the full Montana Bible College profile
Aaniiih Nakoda College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Get the full Aaniiih Nakoda College report
Fort Peck Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Get the full Fort Peck Community College report
Blackfeet Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. See the full Blackfeet Community College profile
Salish Kootenai College did well this year, earning the #23 position. Get the full Salish Kootenai College report
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana placed #24 among Trade schools in Montana. More on Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana
Great Falls College Montana State University placed #25 among Trade schools in Montana. Read the full report on Great Falls College Montana State University
Rest of the Top 15% Best Trade Degree Schools in Montana
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Carroll College
Carroll College placed #26 among Trade schools in Montana. Read the full report on Carroll College
Pima Medical Institute Dillon did well this year, earning the #27 position. Read the full report on Pima Medical Institute Dillon
Butte Academy Of Beauty Culture placed #28 among Trade schools in Montana. Read more about Butte Academy Of Beauty Culture
Aveda Institute Montana did well this year, earning the #29 position. Read the full report on Aveda Institute Montana
More Trade Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 20 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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