
The University of Providence is a private university in Great Falls, Montana, with roots dating to 1932. It began as Great Falls Junior College, became the College of Great Falls and later the University of Great Falls, and adopted its current name in 2017.
The name change emphasized an existing connection to the Sisters of Providence and the institution's Catholic heritage. Its history matters to prospective students because the university's present-day identity combines a liberal arts tradition with professional programs, particularly in health-related fields.
The University of Providence organizes its academic offerings around liberal arts and sciences and health professions. Students can explore subjects including biology, psychology, education, business, criminal justice and nursing, with undergraduate and graduate options depending on the program.
Program titles alone do not establish a credential's format or professional eligibility. An applicant considering nursing, teacher preparation or another regulated field should check the current catalog for the specific degree, delivery location, clinical or fieldwork requirements, and any state licensure conditions. The reported student-to-faculty ratio is 10 to 1; that institution-wide figure does not mean every class has 10 students.
The University of Providence is in Great Falls, a city in north-central Montana. Its campus offers a smaller-city setting rather than a large metropolitan college environment.
Great Falls International Airport is the nearest airport. Students traveling from outside the region should account for onward transportation as well as airfare. The distinction between residential and commuter life is also practical here: a student without a car may want to check transportation to placements, work and services beyond campus before enrolling.
The University of Providence describes its educational mission in terms of academic learning, service and the development of the whole person. Its Catholic identity and connection to the Sisters of Providence inform the values it states, including concern for others and social responsibility.
Those are the university's stated priorities, not independent measures of every student's experience. Applicants for whom religious affiliation matters should review how it appears in the current curriculum, campus activities and any requirements attached to their intended program.
Name of the institution
University of ProvidenceLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: SmallInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
Under 1,000Religious affiliation
Catholic (Roman Catholic Church)School type
Comprehensive higher education institutionMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1932University of Providence is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degreeData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.