Milestones of Distinction
We believe in the quality of our experience, and we know ours is a special community. But we’re not alone. Carroll is consistently recognized at the national level for excellence in academic programs, athletics, value, and the accomplishments of our alumni.
And while no ranking will ever replace the adventures our people share, it’s nice knowing that the world has noticed.
Academic Rankings
- #1 – US News Regional Best Value College 2024-25, 2023-24
- #1 – Retention rate in Montana
- #1 - Four-Year Graduation Rates in Montana
- #1 - Medical School Placement for Montana
- #1 - Nursing NCLEX Pass Rate for Montana
- #1 – Forbes best college in every state: Montana
- #1 – Money best college in every state: Montana
- #1 – College Factual best college in every state: Montana
- #1 – College Consensus top college or university in Montana
- #1 – US News Regional College 2012-2022
- #1 – US News Regional Best College for Undergraduate Teaching 2021, 2019
- #2 – US News Regional Best College for Veterans 2024-25, 2023-24
- #2 – US News Regional Best Value College 2019-2022
- #2 – BestColleges.com Best Colleges in Montana
- #3 – US News Regional College 2024-25, 2023-24
- #3 – US News Regional Best College for Veterans 2016-2022
- #11 – College Consensus Best Mountain Colleges
- #12 – Top 25 Best Rocky Mountain Colleges in the US
- #16 – US News Regional Best Social Mobility 2021
- #18 – Washington Monthly's Top Bachelor's Colleges in the Nation
- #33 – Great Affordable Colleges for Outdoor Enthusiasts
- NAIA School of Character Award 2023-24 (Inaugural recipient)
- Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll 2020, 2019, 2018
- College of Distinction, Overall, Montana, and Catholic (2014-2025)
- College Raptor Hidden Gem, 2018-2025
- Military Friendly School Bronze 2020-21
- Military Friendly Schools Designation 2019, 2018, 2017
- Top school in the Military Advanced Education Guide to Colleges & Universities 2018, 2017
Carroll College also received a commendation from the Montana Secretary of State Centennial Project for 100 Years of Business in Montana.
Student Accomplishments
Talking Saints
The Carroll College Talking Saints have won or shared the Northwest Conference Championship for 34 straight years. They captured title #34 in February 2024.
Math Modeling
Carroll computer science and mathematics teams have placed in the top 1% in the international Mathematical/Interdisciplinary Contest in Modeling in 2003, 2006 and 2010, competing against schools such as MIT, Harvard, Duke, Beijing Jiaotong University, and Hangzhou Dianzi University.
Biology Field Testing
Carroll has ranked in the top 90th percentile for over ten years on the Educational Testing Service’s major field test in biology, a ranking that places our biology students in the top tier of over 13,000 college and university students nationwide.
Athletic Distinctions
The Carroll College football team has won 6 of the last 14 NAIA National Championships.
Carroll athletics has won 6 of the last 8 Frontier Conference Bandy Awards, presented annually in the spring to the conference school that has amassed the most points awarded based on league finish in each sport.
Carroll College has been acknowledged as an NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution and was named the NAIA's inaugural School of Character award winner.
Alumni Accomplishments
Carroll pre-med students consistently post an 85% acceptance rate to medical and dental schools—far above the national average.
Chemistry majors boast a 100% acceptance rate to graduate schools, and they have participated in research and internships at the Mayo Clinic, Monsanto Company, and Purdue University.