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Colleges of Distinction: Montana
2022-2023 Colleges of Distinction

Rocky Mountain College

Billings, Montana

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Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana

Rocky Mountain College is Montana’s oldest college, founded in 1878. As a comprehensive four-year liberal arts college, RMC takes pride in its commitment to excellence and consideration of all points of view. The College joins the traditions of liberal arts with the heritage of practical training for specific careers.

The College’s campus spans approximately 60 acres in a residential section of Billings, Montana. Approximately 1,000 enrolled RMC students enjoy the evergreen trees, shrubs, and perennials, which altogether create a welcoming campus. Many campus buildings are comprised of sandstone rocks, quarried from the Rimrocks during the College’s formative years. Today, the campus continues to expand with the newly constructed, state-of-the-art Dr. Charles Morledge Science Building.

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RMC offers a variety of engaging co-curricular activities, including athletics, outdoor recreation, international programs, theatre, community service, music, clubs, and campus ministry. Students directly benefit from these activities, gaining further understanding of stewardship, career-specific skills, and effective teamwork.

Historically, Rocky Mountain College is affiliated the United Church of Christ, the United Methodist Church, and the Presbyterian Church (USA)—all of which are denominations committed to the pursuit of knowledge, religious tolerance, and free inquiry.

“During my time at RMC, I have observed and taken part in many valuable and meaningful things. I appreciate that the institution has always directed its focus toward students, their education, and their endeavors.” – Scott Severance, RMC Class of 1989 & RMC Professor of Business

Get to know Rocky Mountain College

879
Degree-Seeking Undergraduates
Enrolled female students
49%
 
Enrolled male students
51%
 
Gender Ratio
Full-time students
98%
 
Part-time students
2%
 
Full-time to Part-time Ratio
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Retention rate
Full-time faculty
57%
 
Adjuncts
43%
 
Faculty Ratio
11:1
Student/teacher ratio
$28,962
Full-time tuition cost
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
4-year graduation rate
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
5-year graduation rate
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
6-year graduation rate
Rolling
Application deadline
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Acceptance rate
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Out-of-state students
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Full-time faculty w/ terminal degree

Benefits

Student Activities

Student Activities

  • Campus Ministries
  • Choral groups
  • Concert band
  • Drama/theatre
  • International Student Organization
  • Jazz band
  • Literary magazine
  • Music ensembles
  • Musical theatre
  • Pep band
  • Student government
  • Student newspaper
  • Symphony orchestra
  • Yearbook
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High-Impact Practices

High-Impact Practices

  • First-Year Seminars and Experiences
  • Common Intellectual Experiences
  • Learning Communities
  • Writing-Intensive Courses
  • Collaborative Assignments and Projects
  • Undergraduate Research
  • Diversity/Global Learning
  • Service-Learning, Community-Based Learning
  • Internships/Coops/Practica
  • Capstone Courses and Projects/Senior Experience
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Campus Resources

Campus Resources

  • Career Services
  • Writing Center
  • Academic Advisors
  • Library Services
  • Faculty Mentors
  • Disability Services
  • Multicultural Engagement Center
  • Health Services
  • Academic Tutors
  • Student Success Initiative
  • Counseling
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College Highlights

Engaged Students
Great Teaching
Vibrant Communities
Successful Outcomes
Admission & Aid
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Engaged Students

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Opportunities for engagement and active learning are available through a wide variety of activities and clubs offered at Rocky Mountain College. The active, vibrant campus life complements RMC’s academic curriculum while enhancing the student experience to be the best it can be. Clubs and activities include ASRMC, Athletics, Aviation, Students Advisory Committee, Bears and Cubs Program, Bookaholics Anonymous, Enactus, Environmental Club, IHSA Equestrian Team, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Native American Student Alliance, Outdoor Recreation, RMC Debate Society, Rocky Slapshots, Rocktivities, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, The Summit, Tobacco Free RMC, Veterans Club, and Young Americans for Liberty.

“The outdoor recreation program was a quintessential part of my RMC experience. It was these trips and events that I met some of my best friends and picked up one of my favorite hobbies, rock climbing. Rarely will you find more opportunities than here at RMC, so my advice is to utilize them. It’s an active community.” – RMC Student, Laura Barsotti

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

On April 11th, 2018, Rocky Mountain College celebrated its Fifth Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. This Symposium highlights a range of academic pursuits across campus, showcasing student projects and faculty collaborations. Students present their work as short lectures, posters, demonstrations, or exhibits, inviting the entire community to share in the experience of Rocky Mountain College’s dedication to rigorous research and arts education.

“The Undergraduate Research Symposium really inspires people. It opens your eyes to the research you can do at Rocky Mountain College.” – RMC Student, Emily Souder

CLASS SIZE
The number of sections of each class size.
2-9: 106 | 10-19: 109 | 20-29: 47
30-39: 17 | 40-49: 10 | 50-99: 3 | 100+: 0

ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Nonresident aliens: 3%
Hispanic/Latino: 6%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 3%
White, non-Hispanic: 78%
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 3%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 0%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 1%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 5%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 2%

Great Teaching

“Here at Rocky Mountain College, you will receive a top-notch education with a staff that has many different backgrounds and areas of expertise.” – Matt Concienne, Class of 2017

DOCTORAL DEBUT

In 2017, Rocky Mountain College took its first steps toward creating an entry-level doctorate for occupational therapy, the College’s very first doctoral program. Program Director Twylla Kirchen, Ph.D., OTR/L has been leading this effort to facilitate the understanding of the health benefits of meaningful occupation within both the Billings community and the state of Montana as a whole.

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy program is currently enrolling its first cohort, which is scheduled to begin in Spring 2019. The College is proud to expand its science curriculum not only to occupational therapy, but also to a more robust curriculum for its existing physician assistant program. It’s in this way that RMC is standing out as a leader in fulfilling the medical educational need in the state of Montana.

Beyond its own doctorate, the College’s strong core sciences program helps place an ever-increasing number of students in graduate medical programs around the country.

“The development of an OTD program is a great step forward in Rocky’s efforts to improve the human condition in Billings and the surrounding area.” – Rocky Mountain College President, Dr. Robert Wilmouth

CHARLES MORLEDGE SCIENCE BUILDING

With the completion of Phase I of its “ImpACT Today, Transform Tomorrow” capital campaign, Rocky Mountain College now boasts the most advanced dedicated laboratory facility in the region. The Dr. Charles Morledge Science Building provides Rocky Mountain College students and faculty with state-of-the-art research and teaching spaces in every discipline of the natural arts, meeting the needs of a growing student body and accelerating lab-based science instruction.

Several courses have already begun utilizing the new facilities—and the improvements are noticeable. The third floor of the building remains intentionally unfinished to allow for need-based program development, creating an ideal location for the new Doctor of Occupational Therapy program’s learning space. When completed, this program space will contain a state-of-the-art classroom, laboratory, home environment lab, a conference room, and student study and storage spaces. The laboratory will offer suspension equipment to facilitate pediatric-based educational opportunities as well as a variety of adult-based equipment to support hands-on learning experiences. The home environment lab will contain a fully functional kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom, which will provide students with the opportunity to evaluate and treat standardized patients in a natural/home environment.

SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Accelerated program
Double major
Dual enrollment
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Honors Program
Independent study
Internships
Student-designed major
Study abroad
Teacher certification program

Vibrant Communities

“I love the small college atmosphere at Rocky. You get to know your teachers, and they take an interest in who you are. And you get to know pretty much everyone on campus.” – RMC Student, April Wood

WHEATLEY LECTURE SERIES

Rocky Mountain College and the United Methodist Church revived the Wheatley Lectures after a ten-year hiatus on March 8, 2018. This popular lecture series honors the ideals of Bishop Melvin E. Wheatley, focusing on social justice, the promotion of an inclusive church, academic inquiry, pastoral care, and ethics. This year’s program reinforced the College’s religious ties, offering the community opportunities to engage in timely and relevant conversations. With the theme cultivating community in fracturing times: returning civility to civil dialogue, the lecture series has had a worthwhile and timely revival. The Wheatley Lectures emphasize the importance of strengthening community through constructive dialogue within modern discourse.

“There’s still a need in the community and a need among clergy for continuing education and compelling learning opportunities. That’s a function the College can fill, providing a resource to students, faculty, staff, and the larger community. Rocky Mountain College is a place where we are willing to ask questions, tackle issues, and seek answers.” – RMC Chaplain, Rev. Kim Woeste

RYNIKER-MORRISON GALLERY

The Ryniker-Morrison Gallery of Rocky Mountain College displays the artistic work of RMC students and faculty along with honored artists. Exhibits are intended for enjoyment, study and research, and the enhancement of RMC’s art department. The space not only attracts visitors from RMC and the larger Billings community, but also provides a practicum experience for students pursuing the art industry. In 2018, the Ryniker-Morrison Gallery featured the exhibit “Many Blessings: Kevin Red Star with his daughter Sunny Sky Red Star.”

SCHOOL LOCATION

Rocky Mountain College is a residential, comprehensive liberal arts college located beneath the sandstone Rimrocks in a park-like neighborhood of Billings, Montana. As the state’s largest and most economically vibrant city, Billings offers the culture and amenities of a big-city with small-town Montana hospitality.

ATHLETICS

The athletic program is an integral part of the comprehensive learning experience at Rocky Mountain College. A commitment to competing at the highest level in the conference and the region helps to create an environment in which student-athletes excel in the classroom and in their respective sport. Coaches are committed to leading and challenging student-athletes to become future leaders who will positively impact society.

Division: National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division I level, competing in the Frontier and Cascade Conferences

Sports: Basketball (M/W), Cheerleading/Stunt, Cross Country (M/W), Football, Golf (M/W), Ski Racing (M/W), Soccer (M/W), Track & Field (M/W), and Volleyball

Nickname: Battlin’ Bears

Colors: Forest Green and Vegas Gold

RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 80%
Undergraduates: 51%

Campus housing options.
Coed dorms
Apartments for married students
Apartments for single students
Special housing for disabled students

Successful Outcomes

“RMC is the ultimate résumé builder. If you take advantage of the opportunities to be submersed in the whole educational experience, you’re bound to succeed. Just don’t sell yourself short.” – RMC Student, Jonathan Diem

Rocky Mountain College provides many opportunities for students to cultivate professional excellence and critical thinking, both inside and outside the classroom. The College prepares students for success through premier academic programs, excellent faculty, and experiential learning opportunities. RMC students experience in-the-field opportunities in their area of study, as 88% of students engage in career-focused internships. Additionally, RMC students enjoy a 97% rate of placement in employment opportunities or admission to graduate school.

Ayla Grandpre, RMC Class of 2018
Few stand as a better advocate for women in science than President’s Cup recipient Ayla Grandpre. Graduating with a pair of bachelor of science degrees in chemistry and computer science, Grandpre is on a mission to make STEM careers (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) exciting for young girls throughout the state of Montana. Early in her time at Rocky, she joined a team of computer science and biology students to send an algae growth experiment to the International Space Station. Her technical skills proved useful when she accepted an internship at Montana State University’s Space Science Engineering Laboratory in Bozeman, Montana. Now, Grandpre is a mentor for that same HUNCH program. Grandpre was an intern at the NASA Kennedy Space Center, where she worked on a team that analyzed edible plant growth for the ISS and potential long-term space missions. This year, she travels to Virginia, having accepted a coveted Brooke Evans Fellowship, through which she will work with Radiant Solutions/Digital Globe. Additionally, Grandpre started the SMArt Girls program at Rocky. SMArt Girls brings middle school children to the campus to engage in science, math, and art projects. Notably, this May, she will join other space sciences students and professionals, through Citizens for Space Exploration, to speak to members of the U.S. Congress about the importance of space research. Her next goal: Grandpre hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in the University of Arizona Aerospace Engineering program.

“I always wanted to have a career in space technology. When I was in high school, I didn’t think it was possible for me, a small town girl from Laurel, Montana. Thanks to the support of Rocky’s faculty and staff, I have been able to do some amazing things and to show young girls in Montana that anything is possible.” – Ayla Grandpre, Class of 2018

Julio Freitas, RMC Class of 2008
Julio Freitas graduated RMC with a degree in business in 2008. Freitas went on to launch his successful business, The Flower Hat. In a few short years, Freitas has grown his small shop in Bozeman, Montana, into a nationwide business, largely due to his education at RMC and his unique approach to marketing via social media. Freitas credits much of his early success to Rocky Mountain College’s liberal arts education. Freitas was presented the Outstanding Young Alumni Award at RMC’s 109th Candlelight Dinner on February 1, 2018.

“I am extremely thankful for Rocky Mountain College and my faculty members who helped me become the best Physician Assistant I can be. During my time in the program I not only learned medicine in more depth than I could have envisioned, I also grew as a person and established many more skills that aided my development as a provider. The modular teaching approach helped me to focus the material in a way that enabled me to retain what I was learning. The small class size allowed for a personalized learning environment and I became part of a lifelong cohesive family. The program’s organization gave me the opportunity to balance working hard to achieve my goals as well as maintain my personal life. I cannot imagine a Physician Assistant program that better prepares its students for their first jobs as providers than Rocky Mountain College.” – Amy Grossman, Class of 2017

Admission & Aid

Admission

ADMISSIONS FACTORS
Very Important
Academic GPA | Standardized test scores | Level of applicant’s interest

Important
Rigor of secondary school record | Application Essay | Recommendation(s)

Considered
Class rank | Interview | Extracurricular activities
Talent/ability | Character/personal qualities | First generation
Alumni/ae relation | Volunteer work | Work experience

FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 490 | 75th Percentile: 590
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 500 | 75th Percentile: 585
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 19 | 75th Percentile: 25
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 19 | 75th Percentile: 25
ACT English
25th Percentile: 19 | 75th Percentile: 24

Rocky Mountain College is an institution dedicated to helping students learn, grow, explore, and succeed. The college selection process can be overwhelming; however, RMC’s goal is to assist prospective students through the process in a positive manner. The admission staff of RMC is dedicated to helping students achieve success during their college selection process.

Future Students

At Rocky Mountain College, the goal is to make the admission process fast and simple. A prospective student must submit an application along with other required information, which can be found on the Future Students page.

RMC Near You

RMC admissions staff have scheduled visits all across the country, travelling to several high schools and college fairs during the 2018-2019 school year. To learn about the 2018-2019 travel schedule, visit the RMC Near You page.

Tuition & Cost

Tuition: $28,962
Fees: $590
Room & Board: $8,452
Room: $4,140
Board: $4,312

What Others are Saying

"There has been so much I've done here at Rocky. Going here was the right decision. There have been so many professors here who have shaped me as an individual. I could write a book about all of my experiences here, because Rocky has been so phenomenal.”
— Noah Oloff, RMC Class of 2018

Contact Rocky Mountain College

Contact Admissions

rocky.edu/admissions
(406) 657-1026
admissions@rocky.edu

Campus Location

1511 Poly Drive
Billings, MT 59102

(406) 657-1000

Visit RMC Online

rocky.edu

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