Best Online Colleges in Montana

Benefits of Studying Online in Montana

Known as the Treasure State and Big Sky Country, Montana has been an outdoor enthusiast's paradise for generations. Located in the northern part of the country, Montana is the 4th largest state in terms of land mass (totalling 147,040 square miles) and the 44th largest in terms of population (1.1 million). The capitol building is located in Helena, with Billings being Montana's largest city. Despite the small population, Montana is home to some of the most spectacular mountain ranges and abundant outdoors activities, such as world-renowned skiing, hiking, and fishing.

Employment Stats

The job market in Montana follows closely with the population percentages, being just 44th in the nation in terms of employed persons. As of October 2022, the total employed population in the state was 507,000, which accounts for just 0.33% of the nation's workforce. Even though the employment number is relatively small, it's still grown by 2.14% year over year - which actually makes the Treasure State the 45th fastest growing state in terms of job growth. That being said, the total employed still falls more than 1.5 million short of the median value (a difference of -74%).

Montana just scraped by Rhode Island for the 44th spot, besting Rhode Island by 11,000 people (a minimal advantage of 2.18%). And it fell short of Hawaii by just 113 people (which was a difference of -18.2%), although that gap isn't too shocking given that Montana accounted for just 0.3% of the population. Ultimately, the Treasure State sits 97% below the nation's leader (California) in terms of actual employed workforce, again just what you would expect from a state with about 1.1 million people.

Job Opportunities

Overall, Montana has a lot to offer - from both a recreational and educational standpoint. Although employment may not be as high as some other states, the sheer land mass offers the opportunity to explore your educational goals while also taking part in some of the best outdoor activities in the world.

In terms of higher education options, the University of Hawaii (located in Honolulu) is the state’s highest ranked institution, and is a great place to begin your academic career. Hawaii also has numerous other colleges and universities, some with very specific focuses, such as the University of Hawaii at Manoa, which is an excellent choice for culinary arts and hospitality. In this case, there may be few other places in the world that match Hawaii’s education and job opportunities in these fields.

*All data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023)