Best colleges for Liberal Arts and Sciences in Montana
Ranked by graduate earnings
Montana State University, Helena College University of Montana and The University of Montana are the top Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in Montana by graduate earnings. Montana State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $33,040, College Scorecard. The University of Montana, Montana State University and Helena College University of Montana award the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees and certificates in Montana: 159, 117 and 102 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 18 Montana colleges offer Liberal Arts and Sciences and award 800 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Liberal Arts and Sciences program, formally known as Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, offers a broad educational foundation in various disciplines. This program is designed for students seeking a well-rounded…
Top 6 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montana State University Bozeman Public · Associate degree | $33,040 | 117 | 57% | — | $11,500 |
| 2 | Helena College University of Montana Helena Public · Associate degree | $31,290 | 102 | 33% | — | $15,400 |
| 3 | The University of Montana Missoula Public · Associate degree | $30,794 | 159 | 48% | — | $18,500 |
| 4 | Montana State University Billings Billings Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,832 | 58 | 30% | — | $39,800 |
| 5 | Dawson Community College Glendive Public · Associate degree | $25,631 | 41 | 45% | — | $11,000 |
| 6 | Flathead Valley Community College Kalispell Public · Associate degree | $30,079 | 128 | 29% | — | $11,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees in Montana
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Montana Missoula Public | 159 | $30,794 |
| 2 | Montana State University Bozeman Public | 117 | $33,040 |
| 3 | Helena College University of Montana Helena Public | 102 | $31,290 |
| 4 | Great Falls College Montana State University Great Falls Public | 62 | Not reported |
| 5 | Montana State University Billings Billings Public | 58 | $29,832 |
| 6 | Miles Community College Miles City Public | 43 | Not reported |
| 7 | Dawson Community College Glendive Public | 41 | $25,631 |
| 8 | The University of Montana-Western Dillon Public | 38 | Not reported |
| 9 | Montana State University - Northern Havre Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 10 | Montana Technological University Butte Public | 6 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 8 Montana colleges offering Liberal Arts and Sciences
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flathead Valley Community College | Kalispell | Public | 128 |
| Fort Peck Community College | Poplar | Public | 15 |
| Chief Dull Knife College | Lame Deer | Public | 13 |
| Little Big Horn College | Crow Agency | Public | 2 |
| Salish Kootenai College | Pablo | Public | 2 |
| Blackfeet Community College | Browning | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| University of Providence | Great Falls | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Stone Child College | Box Elder | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Postsecondary Teachers, All Other (SOC 25-1199).
What Postsecondary Teachers, All Other earn in Montana
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in Montana.
Which Montana colleges award the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees?+
The University of Montana (159 graduates a year), Montana State University (117 graduates a year) and Helena College University of Montana (102 graduates a year) award the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees and certificates in Montana, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 18 Montana colleges offer Liberal Arts and Sciences.
What is the best college for Liberal Arts and Sciences in Montana?+
By graduate earnings, Montana State University leads among Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in Montana, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $33,040, College Scorecard. Helena College University of Montana and The University of Montana follow. By degrees awarded, The University of Montana is the largest, with 159 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Liberal Arts and Sciences program in Montana has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Montana State University tops the list at $33,040. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Postsecondary Teachers, All Other earn in Montana?+
The average annual wage for Postsecondary Teachers, All Other in Montana is $87,600 (median $77,550), across about 570 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Liberal Arts and Sciences program?+
The Liberal Arts and Sciences program, formally known as Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, offers a broad educational foundation in various disciplines. This program is designed for students seeking a well-rounded…
What is the job outlook for Postsecondary Teachers, All Other?+
The national job outlook is about +1.8% growth with around 13,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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