Montana's community colleges deliver LPN training backed by $3.6 million in HRSA federal funding. UM Missoula College runs an HRSA-funded bridge with 18-student cohorts selected through Kaplan exam scores and interviews. Great Falls College MSU serves central Montana. Nearly every Montana county qualifies for HRSA Nurse Corps scholarships. NLC compact state.
🏫 Community College = Best Value🏥 Local Clinical Placement💰 From ~$6.6K✅ Accredited Programs
If you're researching LPN programs in Montana, community colleges should be at the top of your list — and federal investment makes Montana's programs uniquely well-supported. The University of Montana Missoula College runs a practical nursing program backed by a $3.6 million HRSA award — small 18-student cohorts selected through Kaplan entrance exam scores, prereq GPA, personal interviews, and work experience. Applications open March 1 through April 22 only. Great Falls College MSU serves central Montana with clinical partnerships at Benefis Health System. Montana's vast rural geography means nearly every county qualifies for HRSA Nurse Corps scholarships — full tuition plus a monthly stipend in exchange for 2 years of rural service. Billings Clinic, Providence, SCL Health/Intermountain, and Benefis all recruit from these programs. No Montana Board-approved LPN program finishes in under 10 months. Montana is an NLC compact state — your license works in Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, and 35+ other states.
🔄 Need More Flexibility? Compare Online & Evening Programs
Community colleges are the best deal — but they often have waitlists, limited seats, and 1–2 start dates per year. If you need evening/weekend classes, multiple start dates, or online coursework with clinicals arranged near you, these accredited programs fill that gap. Sponsored listings — schools pay to appear.
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~$6K
Avg. Program Cost
10–12
Months (Fastest)
$58K+
Avg. MT LPN Salary
NCLEX-PN
Licensure Exam
How Community College LPN Programs Work in Montana
Montana's community college LPN programs run 10–14 months depending on full-time or part-time enrollment. Here's what to expect:
Accelerated full-time: Classes and clinicals 4–5 days/week, 10–12 month completion
Hybrid/online theory: Study lectures at home, attend clinicals on set days — still 11–14 months
Evening/weekend tracks: Designed for working adults, typically 14–18 months
Community colleges in Montana offer some of the most affordable paths — often under $8,000 total tuition for in-district students. Private nursing schools cost more but sometimes offer faster schedules and more flexible clinical placement.
Accredited LPN Schools in Montana
All schools listed are accredited and approved by the Montana Board of Nursing. Verify current enrollment status directly with each school.
Montana State University – Great Falls
📍 Great Falls
HybridUniversity Branch
Length: 12 monthsFormat: Online theory + local clinicalsCost: ~$6,200Clinical: Cascade County hospitals
Flathead Valley CC
📍 Kalispell
CampusCommunity College
Length: 12 monthsFormat: Full campus attendanceCost: ~$5,800Clinical: Flathead County
Montana LPN Licensure Requirements
Requirement
Detail
Governing Body
Montana Board of Nursing
Program Accreditation
Must be state board-approved
Minimum Clinical Hours
400 hours
Licensure Exam
NCLEX-PN (Pearson VUE)
Background Check
Required prior to clinical placement
CPR Certification
Required before clinical start
Drug Screening
Required by most clinical partner facilities
Immunizations
Per program/facility requirements
🔄 Can't Get Into a Community College Program? Compare Alternatives
Waitlisted? Need evening classes or a different start date? These programs offer flexible schedules and online options with local clinicals. Sponsored listings.
Sponsored listings — schools pay to appear. By submitting, you agree to receive information from schools that match your interests.
LPN Salary in Montana
Licensed Practical Nurses in Montana earn an average of $58,710/year ($28.23/hour) according to the BLS. Salaries vary by city, experience, and work setting.
Billings: $60,200/year
Missoula: $59,400/year
Top employers: Skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospitals, physician offices
Community colleges cost a fraction of private programs, deliver the same Board-approved curriculum and clinical hours, and often have equal or better NCLEX-PN pass rates. They also place you at local hospitals where you'll likely work after graduation. The only downside: waitlists and limited start dates. If you can get a seat, a community college is almost always the best choice.
The fastest accredited programs run about 10–12 months for full-time students. Some accelerated tracks at technical colleges can get close to 10 months, but you'll be in class and clinicals nearly every day. Part-time or hybrid programs typically take 14–18 months.
Community college programs often run $4,000–$12,000 for in-district students. Private and nationally accredited programs can range from $18,000–$35,000. Financial aid, grants, and employer tuition assistance may be available.
After graduating from an approved program and applying through the Montana Board of Nursing, you schedule your NCLEX-PN exam through Pearson VUE. Testing centers are located in major Montana cities.
Hybrid programs that combine online theory with in-person clinicals are legitimate and approved by state boards. However, any program claiming to be 100% online with no clinical requirement is not accredited and will not qualify you for NCLEX-PN or licensure.
⚠️ Data Disclaimer: Salary figures, tuition costs, program lengths, and school information are gathered from publicly available sources and intended as general guidance. Program availability, accreditation, and tuition are subject to change — verify details with the school and Montana Board of Nursing before enrolling. This page may contain affiliate links.
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