With a range of titles and duties, Montana’s registered nurses fill a vital role in evidence-based patient care. The country’s aging population means that now is a great time to consider upgrading to a BSN or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree for more varied – and more lucrative – career options.

2027 Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Montana

Registerednursing.org has ranked the best online RN to BSN programs in Montana. Online learning makes advancing a nursing career easier for working nurses. Many programs use distance learning or virtual classrooms. Hybrid and partially online programs count as online. This flexibility allows nurses to keep working while earning a degree. Choosing an online program helps balance work, family, and school. The best options provide strong clinical support and accredited curricula. These rankings highlight programs that truly support working professionals. We analyzed each program for quality, affordability, and student success. Nurses in Montana can compare options without leaving their jobs. For a full breakdown of how these rankings were created, visit the methodology page: https://www.registerednursing.org/rankings-methodology/
#1

University of Providence

Great Falls, MT - Private 4-year - uprovidence.edu

RN to BSN - Online RN to BSN Program

Online Learning - Visit Website

The University of Providence offers a 100% online RN to BSN program tailored for working registered nurses seeking career advancement without interrupting their practice. This flexible program provides both synchronous and asynchronous learning options, allowing students to customize their pace and complete the degree in as little as one year. The curriculum focuses on practical, immediately applicable knowledge in healthcare administration, health informatics, leadership, compliance, and patient safety, preparing graduates for specialized nursing roles or leadership positions such as health service management. No ACT or SAT entrance exam is required for admission. The program is military-friendly and reflects the university's Roman Catholic heritage, supporting diverse students in achieving their professional goals, including advancing to nurse practitioner or educator roles.

  • Complete in as little as one year
  • Synchronous and asynchronous options
  • 100% online program
  • Earn BSN in one year
  • Builds on existing RN skills
  • Prepares for leadership roles
  • Career outcomes: RN, manager, NP
#2

Montana State University-Northern

Havre, MT - Public 4-Year - msun.edu

RN to BSN - RN-BSN Completion Program

Online Learning - Visit Website

Montana State University-Northern offers a fully online RN-BSN Completion Program designed for working registered nurses seeking career advancement. The curriculum delves into nursing leadership, community health, evidence-based practice, and healthcare policy, with a local two-credit clinical component that eliminates the need to relocate. Students can accelerate through the program in as few as three semesters or extend their studies up to five years part-time, accommodating busy schedules. No ACT or SAT entrance exam is required for admission; applicants must hold a current RN license and an associate degree. The program is ACEN-accredited and approved by the Montana State Board of Nursing, ensuring statewide recognition. Graduates qualify for roles such as nurse manager, community health nurse, clinical educator, and case manager. Online delivery removes commuting, and financial aid and scholarships are available.

  • ACEN accredited
  • 3-Semester program
  • Complete in three semesters
  • Full-time and part-time options
  • Financial aid available
  • Scholarships available
  • Fully online coursework
  • Clinical component in your local area
  • Seamless transition for ASN graduates
  • Leadership and management curriculum
#3

Montana State University Billings

Billings, MT - Public 4-Year - msubillings.edu

RN to BSN - RN to BSN Degree Completion Program

Online Learning - Visit Website

Montana State University Billings delivers its RN to BSN Degree Completion Program entirely online, designed for registered nurses holding an associate degree. The 49-credit curriculum covers nursing leadership, community health, evidence-based practice, and professional ethics, plus corequisites in technical writing, statistics, and developmental psychology. Courses run in flexible 8-week blocks, allowing full-time completion in three semesters or slower part-time pacing. Clinical experiences are faculty-mentored projects within your own community, eliminating travel. Rolling admissions offer fall, spring, and summer starts, and concurrent enrollment lets ADN students begin early. No ACT or SAT is required for admission. This CCNE-accredited program prepares graduates for leadership roles, graduate study, and diverse practice settings.

  • CCNE accredited
  • 3-Semester program
  • Complete in completed in three semesters
  • 49 total credit hours
  • Rolling admissions
  • Full-time and part-time options
  • 3 start dates per year
  • Starts fall/spring/summer
  • Prerequisite courses required
  • Financial aid available
#4

Salish Kootenai College

Pablo, MT - Public 4-Year - skc.edu

RN to BSN - RN to BSN Program

Online Learning - Visit Website

Salish Kootenai College offers a fully online RN to BSN program tailored for working registered nurses with an ADN and active RN license. The asynchronous format provides flexibility, with part-time (6 quarters) or accelerated full-time (3 quarters) completion tracks. Coursework emphasizes clinical leadership, public health, and a capstone quality improvement project. Admission requires official transcripts, proof of RN licensure, and a background check; no ACT or SAT entrance exam is required. The application deadline is June 2026, and financial aid plus scholarships are available. Optional synchronous meetings and personalized faculty advising enhance student support, with technology requirements clearly specified.

  • Fully online asynchronous format
  • Designed for working professionals
  • Part-time 6 quarter completion
  • Full-time 3 quarter option
  • Upper division entry for RNs
  • Capstone quality improvement project
  • Focus on clinical leadership
  • Focus on public health
  • Personalized faculty advising
  • Optional synchronous meetings
*Data sourced from: NCES IPEDS survey, 2025. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Fast & Affordable Program Options

At certain points in their career, many nurses may decide to go back to school to get their bachelor’s degree. However, this can sometimes prove to be more expensive and take longer than expected as nurses often have limited funds and time in their schedule to pursue academics. For this reason, many schools in Montana are now offering fully accredited online RN to BSN programs to offer maximum flexibility for students who want to complete their degree quickly, cheaply, and easily.

Fastest Online RN to BSN Degree Options

As a fast-tracked nursing bachelor’s degree, you can count on an RN to BSN program to be much faster than a typical BSN program. In contrast, BSN programs take 4-years or longer to complete. if you already have an associate degree and a few years in the field, you are eligible to get your BSN in as little as two years or even less. Here are a few of the fastest options for RN to BSN programs in Montana:

SchoolDegree NameLength
Montana State University NorthernOnline RN to BSN3 Semesters
Montana State University BillingsRN to BSN3 Semesters

Learn more about the Fastest RN to BSN Programs.

Do 6-month RN to BSN Programs Exist?

While most RN to BSN programs range between one and two years in length, there are some that can be completed in as little as six months — though these programs are rare, and aren’t found in Montana. Additionally, to be considered for an RN to BSN program this short, you must have at least an associate’s degree and a bulk of transferable credits.

Affordable Online RN to BSN Options

In addition to the speed of an RN to BSN program, many nurses can look forward to the general cost of these affordable, fast-paced educational pathways. Less time enrolled means that you’ll spend less money on tuition. While you may end up paying tens of thousands of dollars with a traditional BSN program, you will likely end up only paying half-price for an RN to BSN — or even less! Here are a few of the most affordable options for RN to BSN programs in Montana. As start researching programs, keep in mind the additional costs of going back to school such as textbooks and cost of living. Your prospective school may also allocate different tuitions based on residency status.

SchoolDegree NameTuition Cost
Montana State University BillingsRN to BSN$6,198 per year (Resident)

$19,924 per year (Non-resident)

Montana State University NorthernOnline RN to BSN$5,955 per year (Resident)

$18,665 per year (Non-resident)

Learn more about Affordable RN to BSN Degrees.

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Admissions Requirements for Accredited RN to BSN Programs

Making the decision to return to complete your education is easy but you might be wondering about how to gain admittance to the accredited program of your choice. What follows are the general criteria that the state's schools are looking for in their RN to BSN candidates:

  • Be admitted to your university in question and be ‘in good standing’
  • Submit all official transcripts that pertain to your ADN, continuing education, and other degrees
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5
  • Provide government-issued identification with photo
  • Provide a copy of your current RN in-state licensure OR proof of registration for the NCLEX-RN exam
  • Provide up-to-date immunization documentation, as well as proof of health and liability insurance

Classes & Courses: What is the Curriculum Like?

The courses that form the structure of the RN to BSN programs is just as important as the clinical rounds and mentorship opportunities that are part of the coursework. For example, students at Montana’s University of Providence can expect upper-division courses like Nursing Research and Theories of Professionalism as parts of the curriculum they will undertake.

2026 List of RN to BSN Programs in Montana

Check out the best accredited RN to BSN degree programs in Montana by looking at our listings below.

Find RN to BSN Programs By City:

Browse Our List of Programs

Browse our list of programs to find the right educational path. Each school entry shows its city and state, along with key program highlights. To get the full picture, click the link to visit the program page directly. This list makes it easy to compare options and take the next step. Explore the programs and see what matches your goals.
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Billings, MT

Montana State University Billings

  • RN to BSN - RN to BSN Degree Completion Program

    Online Learning - Website

    • CCNE accredited
    • 3-Semester program
    • Complete in completed in three semesters
    • 49 total credit hours
    • Rolling admissions
    • Full-time and part-time options
    • 3 start dates per year
    • Starts fall/spring/summer

Great Falls, MT

University of Providence

  • RN to BSN - Online RN to BSN Program

    Online Learning - Website

    • Complete in as little as one year
    • Synchronous and asynchronous options
    • 100% online program
    • Earn BSN in one year
    • Builds on existing RN skills
    • Prepares for leadership roles
    • Career outcomes: RN, manager, NP

Havre, MT

Montana State University-Northern

  • RN to BSN - RN-BSN Completion Program

    Online Learning - Website

    • ACEN accredited
    • 3-Semester program
    • Complete in three semesters
    • Full-time and part-time options
    • Financial aid available
    • Scholarships available
    • Fully online coursework
    • Clinical component in your local area

Pablo, MT

Salish Kootenai College

  • RN to BSN - RN to BSN Program

    Online Learning - Website

    • Fully online asynchronous format
    • Designed for working professionals
    • Part-time 6 quarter completion
    • Full-time 3 quarter option
    • Upper division entry for RNs
    • Capstone quality improvement project
    • Focus on clinical leadership
    • Focus on public health
*National Center for Education Statistics. (2025). IPEDS data system. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/