1,620
LPNs Statewide
11.7%
Projected Growth
$62,210
Median Salary
5
Total Programs
Montana has 147,000 square miles of territory, approximately 1,620 working LPNs, and exactly five accredited nursing programs. The math is simple: there aren't enough nurses, and there won't be for years. The state projects 11.7% LPN job growth through 2032 — double the national rate. Rural critical access hospitals are offering signing bonuses, housing stipends, and relocation packages that you won't see posted on job boards in bigger states. If you want a nursing career where you're genuinely needed, Montana is one of the best places in the country to start.
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Montana has 48 critical access hospitals — small, rural facilities that are the only source of emergency and inpatient care for their communities. Many of these hospitals serve counties larger than some eastern states but with populations under 10,000. Towns like Dillon, Lewistown, Havre, Glasgow, and Miles City rely on a handful of nurses to staff their entire local healthcare infrastructure. When an LPN position opens in these communities, it's not one of 200 applicants competing — it's often one of five. That scarcity is why rural Montana facilities offer incentives that would be unheard of in Denver or Seattle.
These aren't theoretical — facilities in Montana's rural communities actively use these incentives because they have to. Contact hospitals directly; most of this isn't advertised publicly.
$3,000–$8,000 at critical access hospitals in rural communities. Some facilities go higher for experienced nurses.
Monthly housing assistance or employer-owned housing in communities where rental markets are small.
Moving cost coverage for nurses willing to relocate to underserved areas from out of state or out of region.
Up to $50,000 in federal student loan repayment for 2-year commitment in Health Professional Shortage Areas.
This is the complete list. There are no other accredited options in the state. All five are selective with limited enrollment — apply early and to multiple programs.
Hybrid practical nursing program — online coursework combined with campus visits and local clinical rotations at Billings Clinic and St. Vincent Healthcare. Admission is points-based: prerequisite courses, 2.5+ GPA, and a passing TEAS score required. The lowest tuition in the state and the only program with a hybrid format, making it the most accessible option for students who need scheduling flexibility.
Four-semester, 52-credit program. First two semesters cover prerequisites; final two are the nursing core. NCLEX-PN pass rates consistently at 95% or higher. Flathead Valley is one of Montana's fastest-growing regions, driving local healthcare demand. At $129.70/credit, the nursing portion costs approximately $6,744. The Kalispell Regional Medical Center is the primary clinical partner and a major post-graduation employer.
Certificate of Applied Science in practical nursing. Requires prerequisites in anatomy/human biology, psychology, and writing with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Limited enrollment — apply early. Located in the state capital with access to VA facilities and state government healthcare positions. Helena's midsize community gives you a balance of clinical variety and manageable cost of living.
Montana's fastest LPN track — an intensive nine-month program. Higher tuition but you're done three months sooner, which means you start earning earlier. Great Falls is centrally located and accessible from both eastern and western Montana. Malmstrom AFB creates additional healthcare employment and means strong GI Bill utilization. Great Falls Clinic and Benefis Health System are the primary clinical and employment partners.
The most competitive LPN program in the state — only 20 students accepted per semester. You need a 2.75 cumulative GPA to qualify, and actual admitted GPAs are typically higher. Awards an Associate of Applied Science in Practical Nursing. Missoula's college-town setting offers Community Medical Center and Providence St. Patrick Hospital for clinical rotations. Strong peer community and mentorship culture due to small cohort size.
Tuition from published program data and IPEDS 2024. All programs approved by the Montana Board of Nursing.
Montana LPNs earn a median of $62,210/year (BLS May 2025). But the base salary doesn't tell the full story in rural areas, where signing bonuses, housing stipends, and loan repayment effectively push total compensation well above the stated figures.
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Every Montana program costs well below the national average. Stack these funding sources and most students pay little to nothing out of pocket.
At City College ($6,653) or Flathead Valley CC ($6,744), a full Pell Grant covers the entire tuition with $700+ left for books. File FAFSA at studentaid.gov — always the first step.
Fee waivers for veterans, Native American students with tribal enrollment, and university system employees. Stacks with Pell. Contact your program's financial aid office.
Montana has 7 tribal reservations. IHS covers tuition, fees, books, and provides a monthly living stipend for eligible students pursuing healthcare careers. Applications open annually at ihs.gov.
Montana Job Service offices administer WIOA training grants for career changers, displaced workers, and low-income adults. Contact your local Montana Job Service center.
Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls and Montana's veteran population mean strong GI Bill utilization. Full tuition plus monthly housing allowance. All five Montana programs accept GI Bill.
After you're licensed and working: NHSC repays student loans for healthcare workers in Health Professional Shortage Areas. Large portions of rural Montana qualify. Two-year minimum commitment. Apply at nhsc.hrsa.gov.
Montana's 48 critical access hospitals and dozens of IHS/tribal health facilities are the primary employers outside the five main cities. These aren't listed on Indeed — you find them by contacting facilities directly or through the Montana Hospital Association job board. Communities with consistent LPN demand include:
Eastern Montana: Miles City, Glendive, Sidney, Glasgow, Wolf Point. Central Montana: Lewistown, Livingston, Red Lodge. Western Montana: Dillon, Anaconda, Deer Lodge, Hamilton, Polson. Each of these communities relies on a small number of nurses, and turnover creates immediate openings with quick hiring timelines.
Tribal health facilities on Montana's 7 reservations (Blackfeet, Crow, Flathead, Fort Belknap, Fort Peck, Northern Cheyenne, Rocky Boy's) serve communities with significant healthcare needs and often offer IHS-specific benefits including loan repayment and federal employee benefits packages.
Passing the NCLEX-PN is your final step to becoming a licensed LPN in Montana. Our sister site offers 50 free practice questions covering pharmacology, patient care, safety, and ethics — with full answer explanations so you can learn as you go.
Take 50 Free NCLEX-PN Practice Questions →Enter your zip code to see accredited programs near you.
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