Nursing Schools in Montana

Top RN Programs in Montana

This year, we've compiled a list of top nursing schools in the state by examining NCLEX-RN pass rates from the last three years. Our analysis focused on schools with consistent graduate numbers and a minimum average pass rate of 80%. By looking at these rates, you can see which schools effectively prepare their students for the licensure exam and beyond. For a detailed breakdown of how we determined these rankings, visit our ranking methodology page.
Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
97.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Student Population
Small
College Type
2-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
89.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
100.0%

Available Programs


Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) is located in Kalispell, Montana. This community college was founded in 1967. It allows students to pursue various associate degree programs in several different areas of study. FVCC has an onsite brewery and offers an associate degree course in brewing science and brewery operations. This is a school that gives students many opportunities to pursue exciting academic fields of study. It also aims to make student life as convenient as possible. In recent years, FVCC has even created student housing to help meet the needs of the community.

The FVCC nursing program has consistently been one of the most sought-after programs offered by the school. Students will be able to pursue practical nursing or registered nursing programs. There is also a certified nursing assistant program. The associate degree nursing program currently holds pre-accreditation status with the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation. FVCC has many partnerships with larger universities that will allow their associate degrees to transfer over to four-year programs. This means that associate degree program nurses will have options to continue forward to earn a bachelor degree.

Student Population
Small
College Type
2-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
88.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
93.3%

The Helena College - University of Montana is located in Helena, Montana. This two-year college was established back in 1939. It has gone through many name changes over the years but has always continued to provide students with robust educational opportunities. The college currently serves around 1,500 students. The school has many degrees and technical certificate programs that are focused on providing students with job-based skills. The Helena College University of Montana has built up a reputation as a great option for students who wish to advance their career prospects.

The college has a renowned nursing program that many students want to become a part of. The school offers a practical nursing program for existing CNA's. There is also a traditional associate degree in nursing program. Students who have already obtained the LPN license can seek out the LPN to RN bridge program. This school has maintained a very high rate of success for all NCLEX licensure exams. Students are given a complete education that prepares them for the difficult job of nursing. The RN program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). 

Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
86.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
85.0%

Available Programs


Student Population
Small
College Type
2-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
80.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Student Population
Small
College Type
2-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
81.3%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
97.3%

Great Falls College - Montana State University is located in Great Falls, Montana. This school was established back in 1969 and it currently serves thousands of students in the area. This community college offers a number of different associate degree programs. There are also many technical certificate opportunities that will help students to advance their careers. It offers programs focusing on everything from dental hygiene to interior design. Students in the area have been relying on this school to provide them with a thorough education for many decades now.

This school is also well known for having a popular and successful nursing program. There is both a practical nursing program and a registered nursing program at this school. The ADN program is a limited enrollment program that only has an intake of 30 students. The curriculum of this program is fully approved by the Montana State Board of Nursing. Students are prepared to have success in their careers as professional nurses at this school. It also gets them ready to take the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN licensure exam, depending on which program the student is enrolled in. 

Student Population
Medium
College Type
4-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
81.3%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Student Population
Medium
College Type
4-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Montana State University (MSU) is a public university in Bozeman, Montana. It is part of the Montana University System, which includes a total of eight campuses throughout the state. MSU is the largest university in the state and offers close to 100 different degree programs, including both undergraduate and graduate programs. The university was founded in 1893 as the Agricultural College of the State of Montana. Only eight students enrolled during the first year. The university now serves over 16,000 students annually. The university maintains 11 colleges, including the College of Nursing. However, the focus of the university is research, spending over $100 million annually on research programs. 

The MSU College of Nursing offers a two-year associate degree in nursing program, an MSN program, and three BSN programs. The traditional BSN program is for new students, while the accelerated BSN is for those with a bachelor’s degree in a separate field of study. The LPN to BSN program gives Licensed Practical Nurses an opportunity to earn their BSN and further their career. These programs are all accredited by the CCNE. The MSN program is the only graduate-level nursing program in the state. The college partners with local health care facilities, allowing students to complete over 1,000 hours of clinical training at nearby hospitals and clinics. Students also receive training through an advanced simulation lab.

Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Salish Kootenai College (SKC) is located in Pablo, Montana. SKC was established back in 1977 and is a Native American Tribal community college. The main campus of SKC is located on the Flathead Reservation. It also has several satellite locations that students will be able to take advantage of at their convenience. Currently, the school serves around 1,000 students. The enrollment at this school consists of mostly Native American students, but there are also people from outside of the Native American community. This school has several bachelor degree programs, associate degree programs, and certificate programs. Many of the school's programs are career oriented.

SKC also has a nursing program that has been working to educate skilled nurses for several years. The program was established back in 1988 and it provides students with a supportive learning environment. SKC has an associate of science in nursing program and a bachelor of science in nursing program. These programs are both designed to grow the practical skills of nurses by giving them good classroom education while exposing nurses to clinical experiences. Students are specifically prepared to practice nursing in rural settings that are relevant to this Native American community. Both the ASN and RN to BSN programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). 

Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Private
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Student Population
Small
College Type
4-year, Public
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
63.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
N/A

Available Programs


Montana's NCLEX-RN pass rate Vs. National Average

Montana's NCLEX-PN pass rate Vs. National Average