Best PhD and Doctoral Programs in Montana: Online & Campus
The top doctoral programs in the state can help you advance your career and offer chances to contribute to industry-shaping research. Get more details on top-rated and trending programs and ways to fund your degree.
The impact a PhD can have on your career, no matter what field you are in, can be a genuine life-changer. If you’re thinking about diving deeper into the academic world, shaping the views and talents of other students, or conducting research that makes a genuine difference in your industry, finishing a doctoral program is an excellent next step.
Of course, committing to a PhD program is no easy decision for a Montana resident. It’s going to change the next several years of your life and reshape your professional trajectory.
We can help you start your search and check out the options as a student and a jobseeker in Montana. In this guide, we’ve curated the essential information to find a PhD program that’s right for you. We explore several doctoral programs in Montana and compare critical factors such as tuition, course offerings, and faculty.
Beyond academics, we share more about financial aid opportunities available to doctoral students in Montana so that you have access to affordable education and the promising career prospects that await PhD and doctorate earners. Read more to get started.
Top-Rated PhD and Doctoral Programs in Montana
While everyone has a different definition of best, these two universities offer a variety of quality doctoral programs with reasonable costs and flexible study options, including some hybrid degrees.
We’ve compared the most important details to your decision, such as types of programs, quality of faculty, accreditation, and cost of tuition. You can use these factors as a baseline when researching your program options.
University of Montana
The graduate school at the University of Montana offers 32 PhD programs in a wide variety of disciplines. These include PhDs in computer science, chemistry, anthropology, international educational leadership, and neuroscience.
As the state’s flagship university, UM focuses on research and interdisciplinary study. Its mission is to “cultivate the talent and ability of a new generation of scholars and professionals, who in turn will contribute new knowledge to the scientific, economic, and cultural needs of the state, the nation, and the global community.” The school also places a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion and offers an indigenous mentoring program for faculty, staff, and students.
Here are some highlights of UM’s graduate school:
- Average yearly cost of graduate program: $39,938
- Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- 32 doctoral programs
- Hosts GradCon, a student interdisciplinary research conference
Montana State University
As the state’s largest university, Montana State hosts more than 40 doctoral programs through its graduate school. You’ll also benefit from being in Bozeman, the state’s largest research hub.
Students at MSU can pursue research-focused PhDs or professional doctorates like the Doctor of Nursing Practice. The school is renowned for its engineering, education, and agricultural/biological sciences programs. To that end, MSU has more than 300 research labs on campus, so you’ll have plenty of research opportunities from which to choose, no matter your doctoral program.
Here are some highlights to know:
- Average yearly cost of graduate program: $38,329
- 45 doctoral programs
- The graduate school is a member of the Western Association of Graduate Schools
- Offers graduate assistant opportunities in several academic departments
- Accepts degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking students
- Funding options include student-initiated and department-initiated opportunities
Types of PhD and Doctoral Programs Available in Montana
To help you find PhD or doctoral programs in Montana that are right for you, we’ve gathered a variety of options ranging from part- to full-time, no-dissertation programs, and fully funded programs. It’s best to clearly understand your needs before choosing a doctoral program, analyzing factors like weekly time commitments and financial constraints. Attributes such as these can help you pick a program that sets you up for success.
Check below to see some of the available program types. If you need more help choosing a doctoral program, visit our step-by-step guide.
Full-Time PhD/Doctoral Programs in Montana
If you’re looking for a traditional full-time doctoral program, you’ll find plenty of options as most Montana universities offer PhDs. The programs are designed to be completed in three to six years and conclude with a final dissertation research project.
Here are some examples:
Part-Time PhD/Doctoral Programs in Montana
If you want to earn your PhD while still working full-time, you can opt for a part-time program. These programs typically offer flexible course offerings so you can arrange your schedule and research commitments. One great option for working professionals is a practical doctorate, built for people who want to continue their education and boost leadership skills while minimizing career disruptions.
Here are some examples of part-time programs:
Fully Funded PhD/Doctoral Programs in Montana
Most doctoral-level programs offer resources to fund your studies, with options that range from scholarships and fellowships to fully funded programs. You’ll want to check the department page of your intended course to learn more about funding. Currently, no Montana universities offer a fully funded doctoral program.
No-GRE PhD/Doctoral Programs in Montana
Each school will have different requirements for GRE scores during the application process.
For the University of Montana’s EdD and PhD in Educational Leadership, you only need a GRE score if your master’s degree GPA falls below 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Additionally, you can substitute GRE scores with Miller’s Analogy, LSAT, MCAT, or any other nationally recognized graduate-level exam.
Meanwhile, some degrees, like a PhD in forest & conservation sciences, have completely scrapped the GRE requirement.
To learn more about PhDs and doctorates without GRE requirements, check out our guide.
Accelerated PhD/Doctoral Programs in Montana
Currently, no Montana universities offer an accelerated PhD program, which allows you to earn your doctorate in less time than the average.
No Dissertation PhD/Doctoral Programs in Montana
A PhD or doctoral program will include a large research component, no matter the subject. However, study areas vary in terms of requiring a dissertation. While it may be harder to find a no-dissertation program in Montana, you have several online options.
Trending Doctoral Degrees in Montana
Nursing
If you want to advance your expertise in the nursing field and contribute to industry-shaping research, you can earn a doctoral degree in nursing.
Montana State University offers the state’s only accredited Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The curriculum is a hybrid format, blending online learning with on-campus visits, clinical experience, and scholarly projects. The program, accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, also features three specializations: family nurse practitioner, psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner, and nurse-midwifery.
You can also contribute to research that has a significant impact on the field. MSU’s College of Nursing is a national leader in rural nursing research through the Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Health Education Center.
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Education and Leadership
There are several doctoral programs in education and leadership, both research-focused and practical. You have many options for specialization areas, including educational leadership and curriculum and instruction. Here are a few on-campus and online options:
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
- PhD in Education, Curriculum & Instruction at Montana State University
- EdD in Educational Leadership at the University of Montana
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Biology
If you’re interested in a deep dive into life sciences, you can opt for a PhD in biology. These programs typically cover topics such as genetics, biochemistry, ecology, physiology, and molecular biology.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Psychology
Doctorates in psychology are incredibly valuable for counselors, therapists, researchers, and professionals across many industries. In Montana, graduate options range from PhDs in clinical/counseling psychology to more specialized PsyD programs.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Agriculture/Environmental Sciences
With its rural landscapes and farming and ranching heritage, Montana has plenty of options to pursue advanced agriculture and environmental science degrees. Montana Technological University offers specialized degrees in this field, such as a PhD in Earth Science and Engineering, focused on geological/geophysical exploration, environmental consulting/protection, and land/resource management.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Pursuing Your Online Doctorate in Montana
While many of Montana’s doctoral programs follow a traditional on-campus format, an increasing number are offering flexible online or hybrid options to accommodate working professionals and students who don’t live close to universities.
Hybrid degrees blend online coursework with occasional campus visits for intensive seminars or research requirements. An example of this is the PhD in Indigenous and Rural Health at Montana State University.
Fully online PhDs and professional doctorates are also available, especially in fields such as education, nursing, and business. As an online student, you also have access to a variety of great graduate schools outside the state.
Unlocking Financial Support for Your Montana PhD
Good news: You have a lot of options if you are looking for help funding your doctoral degree.
Three common ways that PhD students receive funding are through graduate assistantships, student loans, and scholarships and fellowships. Here are some state-specific programs you should know about:
The University of Montana offers assistant opportunities based on merit or the ability to perform specific services as well as school-specific scholarships, such as the Bertha Morton Fellowship and the Besancon Scholarship. Montana Technological University also offers many forms of aid to students – they tout that 90% of first-time students receive some form of financial aid.
Additionally, Montana State University offers PhD Start Awards, which include tuition waivers and a $10,500 stipend.
Each scholarship will have specific requirements, so check the details to ensure you’re eligible to apply for one.
Insights into Income Potential of Montana PhDs Graduates
It pays well to have an advanced degree — just look at the table below. The majority of doctorate earners earn above six figures on average. The income potential for certain roles can be incredibly lucrative, such as computer research scientist, nurse practitioner, and chief executive officer.
According to the BLS, there’s a substantial leap in earnings from bachelor’s or master’s degrees to a doctorate. Your expertise in a given field is unmatched by many, and you can be compensated accordingly.
While trends vary slightly in Montana, especially by region, overall potential aligns with national figures. It’s clear that earning a doctorate can lead to substantial pay bumps and can help elevate you to influential positions within your field, whether it’s business, science, nursing, or even wildlife biology.
| Job Title | Related Doctoral Degree(s) | Median Earnings | 90th Percentile Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropologist | PhD in Anthropology | $63,800 | $102,150 |
| Biochemist | PhD in Biochemistry | $107,460 | $175,790 |
| Chief Executive Officer | Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) | $103,840 | $239,200 |
| Computer Research Scientist | PhD in Computer Science | $145,080 | $233,110 |
| Environmental Scientist | PhD in Environmental Science | $78,980 | $133,660 |
| Geologist | PhD in Geoscience | $92,580 | $172,600 |
| Nurse Practitioner | Doctor of Nursing Practice | $129,480 | $211,820 |
| Professor | PhD in Education | $84,380 | $182,710 |
| Psychologist | Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) / PhD in Psychology | $92,740 | $151,880 |
| Wildlife Biologist | PhD in Biology | $70,600 | $110,590 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023