Source: IPEDS, as of September 29, 2026. Cost is resident tuition plus required fees, 2023-24.
Associate Degrees in Montana
10
Meet the Ranking Threshold
9
Median Resident Tuition and Fees
$6,433
With a Fully Online Option
3
General Studies Associate Degrees in Montana
The general studies associate degrees in Montana are shared out among two flagship universities, two regional university campuses and five two-year colleges, with 9 programs ranked and 1 more, Chief Dull Knife College in Lame Deer, below the threshold. All 10 are public, and Montana State University in Bozeman and the University of Montana in Missoula both award the two-year general studies degree themselves, so you can start and finish on one university campus.
Montana State has the top score at 62.9, 85th in the national associate ranking, on a 57% graduation rate, 72 degrees a year and $8,083 in resident tuition and required fees for 2023-24. The University of Montana is second at 60.7 and is the largest program in the state at 108 degrees a year with a 48% graduation rate. Miles Community College in Miles City scores 58.4 on the strength of a 62% graduation rate, the highest among the ranked programs, with 22 degrees a year at $7,230. Dawson Community College in Glendive follows at 58.2, graduating 45% at $6,435 with an online option.
Tuition and fees across the ranked programs run from $2,250 at Fort Peck Community College in Poplar to $8,152 at the University of Montana, and graduation rates run from 62% at Miles to 17% at Fort Peck. In between sit Helena College at $3,975 with a 33% graduation rate, Flathead Valley Community College at $6,033 with 99 degrees and a 29% graduation rate, and Montana State Billings at $6,706, graduating 30%.
The 9 Best General Studies Associate Degrees in Montana
The best general studies associate degrees in Montana are ranked below by their national score, from the national associate degree ranking. The number on each card is the program's place in Montana. Each needed at least 10 graduates in the latest year to be ranked.
1
Montana State University
Montana
62.9- Public
- College graduation rate
- 57%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $8,083 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 72
About the Program
Based in Bozeman, Montana, Montana State University is a public university with 17,135 students on its rolls. During the most recent year on record it awarded 72 associate's degrees, a count at the 48th percentile for size. Its college-wide graduation rate is 57%, the 93rd percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Residents pay $8,083 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $31,337. Applicants are admitted at a rate of 82%, which leaves room for a rejection. Strongest of its measures is the graduation rate of its college, which lands at the 93rd percentile.
2
The University of Montana
Montana
60.7- Public
- College graduation rate
- 48%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $8,152 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 108
About the Program
Based in Missoula, Montana, The University of Montana is a public university with 10,811 students on its rolls. Some 108 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 62% of the programs ranked alongside it. Across the whole college, 48% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 81% of the institutions behind this list. Expect tuition and fees of $8,152 a year as a resident and $31,622 otherwise. Applicants face little risk of rejection, because 96% are admitted. Strongest of its measures is the graduation rate of its college, which lands at the 81st percentile.
3
Miles Community College
Montana
58.4- Public
- College graduation rate
- 62%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $7,230 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 22
About the Program
Based in Miles City, Montana, Miles Community College is a public community college with 710 students on its rolls. It conferred 22 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 18% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. A 62% graduation rate puts the college at the 97th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Tuition and fees are $7,230 a year for residents and $11,220 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 34% of programs at this level. Its strongest mark is the graduation rate of its college, at the 97th percentile.
4
Dawson Community College
Montana
58.2- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 45%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $6,435 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 57
About the Program
Based in Glendive, Montana, Dawson Community College is a public community college with 332 students on its rolls. It conferred 57 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 43% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Of the students who start at Dawson Community College, 45% graduate, and that beats 77 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Tuition and fees are $6,435 a year for residents and $9,135 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 43% of programs at this level. Because the full degree is offered online, it is open to students well outside the region. Strongest of its measures is the graduation rate of its college, which lands at the 77th percentile.
5
The University of Montana-Western
Montana
56.9- Public
- College graduation rate
- 51%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $6,431 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 24
About the Program
The University of Montana-Western is a public university in Dillon, Montana that enrolls 1,358 students. During the most recent year on record it awarded 24 associate's degrees, a count at the 20th percentile for size. Of the students who start at The University of Montana-Western, 51% graduate, and that beats 86 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Residents pay $6,431 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $19,039. Admission is close to open, with 100% of applicants accepted. Its strongest mark is the graduation rate of its college, at the 86th percentile.
6
Helena College University of Montana
Montana
52.9- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 33%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $3,975 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 39
About the Program
Based in Helena, Montana, Helena College University of Montana is a public community college with 1,554 students on its rolls. The program's last federal report shows 39 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 31 in every 100 programs measured here. A 33% graduation rate puts the college at the 45th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Tuition and fees are $3,975 a year for residents and $10,687 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 82% of programs at this level. Nothing in the degree requires attending in person, since it is offered fully online. Its strongest mark is price, at the 82nd percentile.
7
Flathead Valley Community College
Montana
42.0- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 29%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $6,033 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 99
About the Program
Kalispell, Montana is home to Flathead Valley Community College, a public community college of 2,234 students. It conferred 99 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 59% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Of the students who start at Flathead Valley Community College, 29% graduate, and that beats 29 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Residents pay $6,033 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $11,363. Nothing in the degree requires attending in person, since it is offered fully online. Strongest of its measures is the number of degrees it awards, which lands at the 59th percentile.
8
Fort Peck Community College
Montana
32.5- Public
- College graduation rate
- 17%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,250 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 12
About the Program
Poplar, Montana is home to Fort Peck Community College, a public community college of 362 students. The program's last federal report shows 12 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 5 in every 100 programs measured here. A 17% graduation rate puts the college at the 4th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Every student pays $2,250 a year in tuition and fees, since the college sets one rate. What lifts it most is price, where it reaches the 97th percentile.
9
Montana State University Billings
Montana
30.6- Public
- College graduation rate
- 30%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $6,706 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 19
About the Program
Montana State University Billings is a public university in Billings, Montana that enrolls 4,129 students. It conferred 19 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 15% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Across the whole college, 30% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 33% of the institutions behind this list. Expect tuition and fees of $6,706 a year as a resident and $21,347 otherwise. Strongest of its measures is price, which lands at the 40th percentile.
Other General Studies Associate Degrees in Montana
The other general studies associate degrees in Montana awarded fewer than 10 degrees in the latest year or did not report a figure the ranking uses, so they are listed here without a score. That says something about size and nothing on its own about quality.
| College | Degrees Awarded | Graduation Rate | Tuition and Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Dull Knife College, Lame Deer | 12 | $2,260 |
Source: IPEDS, as of September 29, 2026. Graduation rate is the college's, for first-time, full-time students.
How Much Does a General Studies Associate Degree Cost in Montana?
A general studies associate degree in Montana costs $6,433 a year in resident tuition and required fees at the median of the 10 programs for 2023-24, and the list runs from $2,250 at Fort Peck Community College in Poplar to $8,152 at the University of Montana. The two tribal colleges are the floor: Fort Peck is $2,250 and Chief Dull Knife College in Lame Deer $2,260, both charging residents and nonresidents the same. The two flagships top the list at $8,083 for Montana State and $8,152 for the University of Montana, and nonresidents there pay $31,337 and $31,622.
Montana's own grant is the Baker Grant under the Montana Tuition Assistance Program, which the Board of Regents pays to students who are residents of Montana attending an eligible public or private postsecondary institution in the state. You need prior-year work income of at least 500 times the federal hourly minimum wage. The limit for an associate student is enrollment: you must be enrolled as a full-time student who has not yet earned a first bachelor's degree, so a part-time load at Flathead Valley or Helena College rules it out.
Will a General Studies Associate Degree Transfer in Montana?
A general studies associate degree in Montana transfers with its general education protected when it's an associate of arts or associate of science with an approved general education package, because Board of Regents Policy 301.10 says a student who completes one at one unit of the MUS and transfers to another unit cannot be required to take additional general education coursework. The policy reaches beyond the university system: it covers Montana University System campuses, the three public community colleges, the seven tribal colleges and regionally accredited independent colleges in the state, so Dawson, Miles, Flathead Valley, Fort Peck and Chief Dull Knife are all inside it.
If your degree isn't an A.A. or A.S., the 30-credit MUS Core does the same job. Complete the entire 30-credit MUS core and transfer to another unit in the MUS and you can't be made to take more lower-division general education. With 20 or more MUS core credits, you may choose to complete either the MUS core or the receiving campus's approved general education program. Either way, the courses only carry over with a grade of C- or better in each, and under common course numbering equivalent courses at different campuses have the same title, number and prefix and are accepted in transfer as if taken at the receiving campus.
What Do Jobs With a General Studies Associate Degree Pay in Montana?
Jobs open to a general studies associate degree in Montana pay the state medians below, from the May 2025 federal wage survey, with the national median beside each for comparison. Each row links to the salary guide for that job.
How to Choose a General Studies Associate Degree Program in Montana
Whether you plan to stay for a bachelor's on the same campus is what should decide your general studies associate degree program in Montana, because four of the nine ranked programs are at universities. Montana State, the University of Montana, Montana Western and Montana State Billings all award the two-year degree, and at Bozeman or Missoula the bachelor's is upstairs. The cost of that convenience is price: the two flagships charge $8,083 and $8,152, more than three times Fort Peck's $2,250, though Montana State graduates 57% to Fort Peck's 17%.
Among the two-year colleges, Miles pairs the highest completion rate, 62%, with $7,230 in tuition and fees and a small cohort of 22 degrees a year. Dawson, Helena College and Flathead Valley are the three with a fully online option, and their graduation rates are 45%, 33% and 29%. If you'll transfer within the state, ask whether the degree is awarded as an associate of arts or associate of science, since that's the award the Board of Regents' general education protection is written for, and ask how many of your courses carry common course numbers.
If you plan to finish a bachelor's in the state, the general studies bachelor's degrees in Montana have their own page.