Celebrating a Banner Fall at Montana Technological University

This fall is marked by unprecedented excitement at Montana Technological University.

The University is celebrating its 125-year anniversary with strong sense of purpose. A new chancellor has taken the helm, joining outstanding faculty, staff, and students. Together, the University is celebrating a major milestone: enrollment growth for the third consecutive year.  

This positions Montana Tech to launch into its next 125 years with excitement and continued momentum.

Montana Tech's total enrollment (headcount) grew by nearly 4% for the fall semester to 2,516. The fall semester’s student body includes students from 52 Montana counties, as well as 45 states and territories across the nation and 19 countries worldwide. The University also saw an increase of 3.8% in new degree-seeking undergraduate students distributed among 31 different certificate and degree programs on campus.

"People are clearly getting behind Montana Tech's purpose of rising to meet America's emerging needs,” noted Chancellor Johnny MacLean. “Our country needs STEM leaders now more than ever, and these enrollment numbers are evidence of Montana Tech's rising momentum. Our Admissions team and everyone across campus have a lot to be proud of."

All colleges within the University are celebrating significant wins this fall. The top undergraduate majors include Nursing (239), Mechanical Engineering (207), Business and Information Technology (167), Civil Engineering (141) and Radiologic Technology (137). The Industrial Hygiene-Professional Track continues to be the largest graduate program with 75 students. Exciting new majors on campus continue to provide students with opportunities to innovate and elevate. The BS Construction Management program began in fall 2023 and has rapidly expanded enrollment to 59 students in its third year. The launch of the new graduate micro-credentials in extractive technologies, offering focused certificates in Mining Engineering, Mineral Deposit Exploration, and Extractive Metallurgy, has already sparked interest. Four more certificates are set to launch in fall 2026: Production Geology, Mineral Project Management & Evaluation, Mineral Processing, and Environmental Management for Mining Operations.

The inaugural Fall 2024 cohort of Lance Scholars — 93 Montana students —returned to campus this fall at an exceptionally high retention rate of 81%. The University also welcomed the second class of Lance Scholars in August. The Lance Scholars Program is committed to making a Montana Tech education accessible to more Montana students. Each year, Lance Scholars are awarded a $4,000 scholarship, renewable for up to three additional years (a total value of up to $16,000). Selected scholars also gain an edge by participating in exclusive presentations and activities throughout the year. The deadline to apply for the Lance Scholars Program is February 15, 2026.

The University has also increased its base of Montana residents with an over 4% overall increase in students enrolling from across the state.

“There are so many great things happening at Montana Tech this fall. Enrollment is up for a third year, we are celebrating 125 years of preparing graduates for meaningful careers, and we have a new chancellor leading the charge into the University’s next chapter. People are taking notice and want to be a part of the positive energy,” noted Executive Director of Admissions & Enrollment Leslie Dickerson.

The excitement on campus will continue well into the spring semester as we celebrate Montana Tech and its people through the first part of 2026.