Four bachelor’s in communications programs in Montana have prized NWCCU accreditation to effectively train bright media stars in “Big Sky Country.” Bordering Saskatchewan, Montana is a behemoth Pacific Northwest state with a $46 billion economy that’s placed 31st nationally by Forbes. Nielsen Media Research shows that Missoula, Billings, Great Falls, and Butte-Bozeman rank among the country’s 200 biggest markets. Communications graduates are hired at various media outlets, including Reier Broadcasting, Backpacking Light, KOPR 94.1 FM, Fairfield Sun Times, and KTVH Channel 12. Top Montana employers, such as Billings Clinic, Malmstrom Air Force Base, JF Overman, Salish Kootenai, Stillwater Mining, and Sidney Sugars, also need skilled communicators. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that Montana’s 6,110 media jobs provide annual average pay of $36,370. Exercise your vocal cords for powerful speech at these undergraduate communications colleges in Montana.
See our ranking of the Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs.
Carroll College
Communication Department
Holding the Northwest Forensics Conference championship title for 28 straight years, Carroll College is a private, non-profit Catholic NAIA institution established by the Diocese of Helena in 1909 that’s now endowed for $43 million to instruct 1,373 Saints at the 63-acre “Queen City” campus. Carroll is crowned America’s 138th best liberal arts school in Forbes, 270th best Common Application college on Niche, and 315th top choice by the Social Mobility Index. The Communication Department features 80 percent retention for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Montana ranked 242nd nationally by College Factual.
Communication Studies Major
Presently priced at $17,253 per semester, Carroll’s Communication Studies Major promotes Christian ethics while training undergrads to respectfully converse with intercultural audiences for global peace. The 37-credit Bachelor of Arts major chaired by Dr. Charlotte Jones has relationship-based courses like Print Media, Desktop Publishing, and Group Dynamics. Students could also join Lambda Pi Eta, publish The Prospector, talk sports on ESPN 94.9FM, engage in the Hunthausen Center, travel to Stockholm, and attend the Strengths Quest Retreat.
Accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
St. Charles Hall 141
1601 N. Benton Avenue
Helena, MT 59625
(406) 447-5402
cjones@carroll.edu
Montana State University-Billings
College of Arts & Sciences
Hosting the 21st Biennial Conference on Balkan and South Slavic Linguistics, Montana State University-Billings is a public, coed teaching institution formed in 1927 that’s budgeting $39.9 million to serve 3,972 primarily non-traditional Yellowjackets with 161 full-time faculty near Yellowstone Park. MSUB is recognized for America’s 415th best dorms on Niche, 353rd highest Ph.D. completion rate in Washington Monthly, and 224th top-paid media graduates by College Factual. The College of Arts & Sciences currently charges $5,930 in-state and $18,598 out-of-state annually for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Montana with 100 percent admission.
Communication Arts B.A.
Chaired by Dr. Stephen Coffman, MSUB’s Communication Arts B.A. immerses students in rhetorical theory to better forge human bonds and engage in knowledgeable discourse. The 120-credit, flexible program can be completed in Billings or online via D2L Brightspace with three specializations: Organizational Communication, Mass Communication, and Public Relations. Majors might also write for The Retort, broadcast live on KEMC 91.7FM, intern at Arrowhead Marketing, volunteer with United Way, join Eta Vasa Ordinem, and exchange to Jilin University.
Accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
Liberal Arts Building 600
1500 University Drive
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 657-1726
scoffman@msubillings.edu
Rocky Mountain College
Communication Studies Department
Publishing The Summit since 2012, Rocky Mountain College is a private, Methodist liberal arts NAIA member that’s endowed for $16.5 million to enroll 1,035 Battlin’ Bears from 16 nations in 24 majors at the 60-acre campus along the Absaroka Range. RMC was judged America’s 100th safest college on Niche, 99th top baccalaureate institution in Washington Monthly, and 112th top value by WalletHub. The Communication Studies Department reports a $43,000 average starting salary on PayScale for another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Montana with 92 percent job placement at Kinetic Marketing, Avis, Herberger’s, Dynon Avionics, and more.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
Maintaining a 12:1 student-professor ratio, RMC’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies produces strategic critical thinkers capable of expressing cogent arguments with clear language. The 33-credit major overseen by Dr. Jolane Flanigan integrates courses like Environmental Communication, Popular Culture, and Mass Media for $27,566 yearly. Other opportunities include competing on the Debate Team, joining Bookaholics Anonymous, running for ASRMC Senate, traveling to Ireland, declaring Honors, and earning the Presidential Scholarship.
Accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
Morledge-Kimball Hall 106
1511 Poly Drive
Billings, MT 59102
(406) 238-7256
jolane.flanigan@rocky.edu
University of Montana
College of Humanities and Sciences
Home to the 2017 Donald H. Ecroyd Award for Outstanding Teaching winner, the University of Montana is a public, land-grant research hub opened in 1893 that’s gifting $80.4 million in financial aid for 11,865 Grizzlies studying atop Mount Sentinel on Rolling Stone’s most scenic campus. UMT was lauded America’s 115th top university in Washington Monthly, 129th best athletics college on Niche, and 384th top value by Money magazine. The College of Humanities and Sciences houses one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Montana ranked 198th nationally on College Factual with a 25 percent four-year graduation rate.
Communication Studies (B.A.)
Attracting over 250 majors with an average 3.3 GPA, Montana’s Communication Studies (B.A.) utilizes a humanistic approach to refine students’ linguistic skills for improved articulation. The 36-credit major managed by Dr. Greg Larson offers three tracks in Organizational Communication, Communication & Human Relationships, and Rhetoric & Public Discourse for $3,621 in-state or $12,479 out-of-state each term. Undergrads can join the Forensics Club, edit The Kaimin, deejay on KBGA 89.9FM, intern with Cherry Creek Media, and attend the Davidson Honors College too.
Accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
Liberal Arts Building 301
32 Campus Drive
Missoula, MT 59812
(406) 243-4293
greg.larson@mso.umt.edu
According to Monster.com, the top skills employers want from the Class of 2018 are social media literacy, creativity, problem-solving, and resiliency. Communications is a valuable liberal arts major that hones all of the above for great job prospects. Graduates can join Montana’s labor force of 460,740 in diverse, well-paid positions like meeting planner, business reporter, political analyst, health educator, brand manager, and fundraiser. These four bachelor’s in communications programs in Montana open a trove of opportunities in the “Treasure State.”