In 2000, 87.2% of Montana residents age 25 and older were high school graduates; 24.4% (exactly the national average) had obtained a bachelor's degree or higher.
The total enrollment for fall 1999 in Montana's public schools stood at 157,556. Of these, 107,490 attended schools from kindergarten through grade eight, and 50,066 attended high school. Minority students made up approximately 14% of the total enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools in 2001. Total enrollment was estimated at 155,860 fall 2000 and expected to reach 164,000 by fall 2005. Enrollment in nonpublic schools in fall 2001 was 8,711. Expenditures for public education in 2000/01 were estimated at $995,900.
As of fall 2000, there were 51,255 students enrolled in college or graduate school. In the same year Montana had 24 degree-granting institutions. In 1997, minority students comprised 11.5% of total postsecondary enrollment. The University of Montana has campuses at Missoula, Montana Tech, and Western Montana College. Montana State University encompasses the Bozeman, Billings, and Northern campuses.