Nursing employers are demonstrating a growing preference for bachelor’s- or even master’s-level education. As a result, an increasing share of students are pursuing their nursing education at four-year colleges and universities. These institutions offer at least a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), and select schools also offer graduate programs. We profile below several of Montana’s top four-year colleges and universities for nursing.
Montana State University – Bozeman
Montana State’s undergraduate baccalaureate program for nursing has received national accreditation since 1949. Graduates of the program are eligible to work as registered nurses (RNs) after passing the NCLEX-RN national licensure examination. An accelerated BSN pathway is also available for students who wish to obtain their degree faster.
Montana Tech’s associate of science in nursing (ASN) program prepares students for a career in registered nursing in two short years. Newly minted RNs can seek employment with major local healthcare providers like Riverstone Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs. After several years of work experience, ASN-educated nurses often return to Montana Tech and enroll in the school’s RN-to-BSN program.
Missoula College, University of Montana
Missoula College offers both LPN and RN programs. However, admissions is competitive; each program admits around twenty students annually with an average GPA of at least 3.40. Missoula College has maintained impressive pass rates on both licensure examinations, frequently achieving a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-PN exam.
We provide additional information below on Montana’s top four-year colleges and universities for nursing, including a detailed profile of each school.