In 1913, the Montana State Legislature approved the establishment of the Northern Montana Agricultural and Manual Training School at Fort Assinniboine, 6 miles (9.7 km) southwest of Havre, but no money was actually appropriated.

The state legislature amended their original act in 1927 to include certain academic subjects and in 1929, the legislature appropriated funds to establish the college as a branch of the University of Montana (later renamed the Montana University System).

Northern Montana College opened its doors in September 1929 in temporary quarters in Havre High School, and moved to its present campus in 1932.

The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Frontier Conference for most of its sports since the 1935–36 academic year; while its rodeo teams compete in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA).

Montana State–Northern competes in 11 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include basketball, cross country, football, golf, rodeo and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, rodeo and volleyball.