BSN-to-DNP Programs in Montana – 2026
Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
Graduates of BSN-to-DNP programs in Montana have a multitude of options at their fingertips! A DNP can prepare you to become an advanced practice RN or an executive nurse leader with employment prospects in numerous practice settings. Demand for DNP-educated nurses’ service will only keep growing higher: Jobs for DNPs in the Big Sky State will rise by 51 percent in 10 years. DNPs are financially well set, too, with average yearly salaries of $134,260. Career-minded RNs in the Big Sky State owe it to themselves to check out this guide to the best BSN-to-DNP programs in Montana.
WHAT ARE THE BEST BSN-TO-DNP PROGRAMS IN MONTANA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2026?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the Best BSN-to-DNP programs in Montana (Online & Campus) for 2026.
1. Montana State University - Bozeman
Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse-Midwifery
The BSN-to-DNP program offers three pathways: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse-Midwifery. Classes are admitted to each pathway in the fall semester annually. The program can be completed in three years if you enroll full-time, or in four years if you enroll as a part-time student.
While travel to the Bozeman campus may be required for some coursework, all graduate coursework is offered via distance delivery, with video conferencing used to supplement course content. You can expect synchronous and asynchronous course offerings.
The Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs each feature an 82-credit curriculum. Nurse-Midwifery students complete 74-82 credits. In accordance with guidelines set forth by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and outlined in the DNP Essentials, all DNP students must complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours. The curriculum for each DNP program at Montana State University requires at least 750 of the 1,000 clinical hours to involve direct patient care.
All DNP students complete and defend a DNP Scholarly Project. The Scholarly Project is developed in collaboration with a committee and faculty advisor and conducted over the course of two semesters in the final year of the program.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the program, you must be physically located in Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, or Alaska. You need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited nursing program that included supervised clinicals in various settings, including nursing management and leadership, and a current, unencumbered RN license in Montana. You will complete your application through the MSU graduate application portal. You must submit three personal essays, three recent professional references, and official transcripts from all institutions where you completed any college coursework, even if you did not earn a degree. Applicants with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale are preferred. Additionally, all candidates must have completed undergraduate research and statistics courses with a grade of “B” or higher.
Why Choose This Program
• While campus visits to Montana State University are limited, that does not mean your experiences are! When you visit the campus, you will have opportunities to practice in state-of-the-art simulation facilities designed to mimic real-life patient care scenarios. The $101 million facility is one of the most specialized in the country.• Graduates of the BSN-to-DNP program at Montana State University consistently score above national averages on national nurse practitioner certification exams. This proven record of success is a testament to the program’s quality.
• As a nurse educator, I am a strong advocate for nurses' involvement in continuous learning and professional growth. Anything you can do to learn more and gain new skills makes you more marketable, ensuring long-term job security. One of the things I like about the BSN-to-DNP program at Montana State University is the many opportunities the school offers. For example, all graduates of the BSN-to-DNP program in Montana at MSU are eligible for the Certificate in Nursing Education. This certificate consists of four theory courses totaling 10 credits and is an option available to all graduate nursing students seeking to augment their nursing education.
• Throughout my years as a nurse, I have seen the impact of inadequate healthcare on rural and underserved populations. It is because of this that I am supportive of programs that incorporate rural and underserved communities into their curricula and clinical plans. For example, Montana State University emphasizes specialized training for rural care. In fact, the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing is a leader in rural nursing with a long history of preparing students to meet the evolving healthcare needs of underserved populations in Montana and across the nation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits BSN-to-DNP Programs In Montana?
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
2. How Many Schools Offer Accredited BSN-to-DNP Programs In Montana?
| 1 |
3. What Is The Average BSN-to-DNP Salary In Montana?
| Hourly | $64.55 |
| Weekly | $2,582 |
| Monthly | $11,190 |
| Annual | $134,260 |
4. On Average, How Much Do Entry-Level BSN-to-DNP Graduates Make In Montana?
| Hourly | $47.49 |
| Weekly | $1,899 |
| Monthly | $8,230 |
| Annual | $98,770 |
5. On Average, How Much Do Experienced BSN-to-DNP Graduates Make In Montana?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $53.73 | $2,149 | $9,310 | $111,760 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $63.43 | $2,537 | $10,990 | $131,930 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $70.63 | $2,825 | $12,240 | $146,920 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $84.41 | $3,377 | $14,630 | $175,580 |
6. What Is The Average BSN-to-DNP Salary In Montana By Metro?
| Metro | Hourly | Monthly | Weekly | Annual |
| Billings | $66.19 | $11,470 | $2,648 | $137,670 |
| Great Falls | $62.02 | $10,750 | $2,481 | $129,010 |
| Missoula | $62.06 | $10,760 | $2,483 | $129,090 |
7. Average BSN-to-DNP Salary In Montana VS. Average Salaries Of Other Closely Related Occupations In Montana
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Dentist | $204,410 | -$70,150 | -34.32% |
| Nurse With BSN-to-DNP | $134,260 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Physician Assistant | $132,450 | +$1,810 | +1.37% |
| Pharmacist | $131,260 | +$3,000 | +2.29% |
| Optometrist | $123,890 | +$10,370 | +8.37% |
| Radiation Therapist | $114,210 | +$20,050 | +17.56% |
| Veterinarian | $94,070 | +$40,190 | +42.72% |
| Dental Hygienist | $88,990 | +$45,270 | +50.87% |
| Audiologist | $88,310 | +$45,950 | +52.03% |
| Occupational Therapist | $87,380 | +$46,880 | +53.65% |
| Physical Therapist | $85,550 | +$48,710 | +56.94% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,970 | +$52,290 | +63.79% |
| Chiropractor | $77,170 | +$57,090 | +73.98% |
Nearby States
Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and Allied Health educator with over 20 years of experience in clinical and educational settings. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master's degree in Education. Darby has worked as a Registered Nurse in diverse healthcare environments, including medical-surgical, pediatric, and psychiatric nursing. She has extensive experience in curriculum development, instructional design, and student mentoring across nursing and allied health programs.
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