EBS STAFF
Montana State University landed at No. 345 on Forbes’ 2026 “America’s Top Colleges” list, the highest ranking of any Montana university and a spot among 500 institutions selected from roughly 2,600 four-year colleges nationwide. Forbes bases its rankings on factors like students’ return on investment, ability to earn scholarships and long-term career success, explained a news release from MSU.
The recognition follows a record year for MSU research, with the university investing $288.7 million in 2025, the first time any Montana institution has topped $200 million in research expenditures. MSU has also produced 92 Goldwater Scholars, 12 Rhodes Scholars, 18 Truman Scholars, 15 Udall Scholars and 15 Boren Award winners, along with a national Carnegie Community Engagement Classification for its work bringing research and service to communities across the state.
The full Forbes list is available at forbes.com/top-colleges.
