Great Falls College is welcoming more students while expanding the practical education and workforce training available to people building careers in north-central Montana.
The college’s official fall 2026 census counted 1,614 students, an increase of 124 students—or 8.3%—from fall 2025. Full-time equivalent enrollment rose 7.3% over the same period. The growth continues a multiyear trend: headcount enrollment has increased 35.4% since fall 2022.
Those students are pursuing pathways in healthcare, trades, business and technology, education, and university transfer programs. Great Falls College also reported that its Career and Technical Education department served another 354 learners during the last academic year through workforce training in areas including certified nursing assistance, structural welding, commercial driving, and basic floor installation.
Another career pathway is taking shape for January, when the college plans to welcome the first cohort in its grid-operator training program. Supported by a $1.4 million grant from the Berkshire Hathaway Energy Foundation, the program is expected to be the nation’s first grid-operator program conducted on a college campus.
For workers considering Great Falls, this growth is evidence of a community where education connects directly with employment needs. Residents can develop new skills, earn credentials, or prepare for a career change without leaving the region—and local employers gain a stronger pipeline of trained talent.
Read the full fall enrollment report from Great Falls College and explore education and career-training opportunities in Great Falls.