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Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana

2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana

27 Schools Ranked
$40,686 Average Earnings
$25,038 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.

The Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 27 schools in Montana to see which ones were the most popular programs for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

285 Total Awards

Our 2023 rankings named Great Falls College Montana State University the most popular school in Montana for trade school students working on their degree. Great Falls College Montana State University is a public institution located in Great Falls, Montana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 285 degrees in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

Read full report on Great Falls College Montana State University

#2

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana
3,536 Total Awards
$42,198 Average Earnings
$23,447 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Montana State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana list. MSU Bozeman is a fairly large public school situated in Bozeman, Montana. It awarded 3,536 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $23,447 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $312.After graduating from MSU Bozeman, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,198 during the early years of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Montana State University

795 Total Awards
$41,648 Average Earnings
$23,456 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you attend Montana State University - Billings. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana list. This small public school is located in Billings, Montana, and it awarded 795 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,456 in student loans.After graduating from Montana State University - Billings, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,648 during the early years of their career. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Montana State University - Billings

#4

The University of Montana

Missoula, Montana
3,194 Total Awards
$38,416 Average Earnings
$33,176 Avg Student Debt

The programs at The University of Montana helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Montana. UM is located in Missoula, Montana and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,194 degrees to qualified students.

On average, students take out $33,176 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $318, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UM, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,416 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.

Read full report on The University of Montana

139 Total Awards
$61,217 Average Earnings
$8,640 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Highlands College of Montana Tech is a great place for trade school students. Highlands College of Montana Tech is a very small public school situated in Butte, Montana. It awarded 139 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,640 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Highlands College of Montana Tech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $61,217 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 17% were women.

Full Highlands College of Montana Tech Report

277 Total Awards
$43,349 Average Earnings
$20,524 Avg Student Debt

Montana State University - Northern did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #6 on the list. Montana State University - Northern is located in Havre, Montana and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 277 degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,524 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Montana State University - Northern graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,349 during the early year of their career. Around 44% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Montana State University - Northern Report

#7

Flathead Valley Community College

Kalispell, Montana
293 Total Awards
$36,219 Average Earnings
$13,544 Avg Student Debt

Flathead Valley Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana list. Kalispell, Montana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 293 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,544 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Flathead Valley Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,219 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.

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#8

Montana Academy of Salons

Great Falls, Montana
103 Total Awards
$19,446 Average Earnings
$6,485 Avg Student Debt

Montana Academy of Salons ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana list. Montana Academy of Salons is a very small private for-profit school located in Great Falls, Montana that handed out 103 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $6,485 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Montana Academy graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $19,446 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 93% were women.

Full Montana Academy of Salons Report

#8

University of Providence

Great Falls, Montana
391 Total Awards
$49,532 Average Earnings
$24,621 Avg Student Debt

University of Providence ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana list. University of Providence is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Great Falls, Montana. It awarded 391 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from University of Providence accumulate an average of $24,621 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, University of Providence graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,532 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.

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209 Total Awards
$37,167 Average Earnings
$17,556 Avg Student Debt

Helena College University of Montana landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Helena College University of Montana is a small public school located in Helena, Montana that handed out 209 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $17,556 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Helena College graduates make an average of $37,167 annually. Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.

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61 Total Awards
$16,295 Average Earnings

Crevier’s Academy of Cosmetology Arts landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. This very small private for-profit school is located in Kalispell, Montana, and it awarded 61 degrees in 2021-2022.

During the early years of their career, Crevier’s Academy of Cosmetology Arts graduates make an average of $16,295 annually. Around 98% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Crevier’s Academy of Cosmetology Arts

#12

Salish Kootenai College

Pablo, Montana
136 Total Awards
$24,002 Average Earnings
$13,914 Avg Student Debt

Salish Kootenai College ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana list. Pablo, Montana is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 136 students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from SKC accumulate an average of $13,914 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from SKC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $24,002 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 70% were women.

Read full report on Salish Kootenai College

#13

Rocky Mountain College

Billings, Montana
274 Total Awards
$47,324 Average Earnings
$64,213 Avg Student Debt

Rocky Mountain College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #13 on the list. Billings, Montana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 274 students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Rocky accumulate an average of $64,213 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Rocky, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,324 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.

Full Rocky Mountain College Report

#13

Academy of Cosmetology

Bozeman, Montana
21 Total Awards
$19,063 Average Earnings

Academy of Cosmetology did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in Bozeman, Montana, the very small private for-profit school awarded 21 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

After graduating from Academy of Cosmetology, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $19,063 during the early years of their career. Around 100% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Academy of Cosmetology Report

#15

Carroll College

Helena, Montana
255 Total Awards
$33,212 Average Earnings
$22,163 Avg Student Debt

Carroll College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Helena, Montana, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 255 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $22,163 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Carroll Montana graduates make an average of $33,212 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

Read full report on Carroll College

17 Total Awards
$12,598 Average Earnings
$7,753 Avg Student Debt

Butte Academy of Beauty Culture did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #17 on the list. Butte Academy of Beauty Culture is a very small private for-profit school located in Butte, Montana that handed out 17 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,753 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Butte Academy of Beauty graduates make an average of $12,598 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.

Read full report on Butte Academy of Beauty Culture

#17

Miles Community College

Miles City, Montana
123 Total Awards
$57,867 Average Earnings
$17,203 Avg Student Debt

Miles Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana ranking. Located in Miles City, Montana, the very small public school awarded 123 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,203 in student loans.After graduating from Miles Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $57,867 during the early years of their career. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Miles Community College

#19

Fort Peck Community College

Poplar, Montana
82 Total Awards

With a ranking of #19, Fort Peck Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Poplar, Montana, the very small public school awarded 82 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Fort Peck Community College

#20

Blackfeet Community College

Browning, Montana
64 Total Awards

Blackfeet Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana ranking. Blackfeet Community College is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Browning, Montana that handed out 64 degrees in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 77% were women.

Read More…

381 Total Awards
$63,042 Average Earnings
$19,460 Avg Student Debt

Montana Technological University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana ranking. Montana Tech is a public institution located in Butte, Montana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 381 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Montana Tech accumulate an average of $19,460 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Montana Tech graduates make an average of $63,042 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 39% were women.

Full Montana Technological University Report

#22

Dawson Community College

Glendive, Montana
111 Total Awards
$9,586 Avg Student Debt

Dawson Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #22 on the list. Glendive, Montana is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 111 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,586 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.

Full Dawson Community College Report

#23

Stone Child College

Box Elder, Montana
24 Total Awards

With a ranking of #23, Stone Child College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. SCC is a public institution located in Box Elder, Montana. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 24 degrees in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.

Read More…

#24

Aaniiih Nakoda College

Harlem, Montana
45 Total Awards

With a ranking of #24, Aaniiih Nakoda College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Harlem, Montana, the very small public school handed out 45 degrees in 2021-2022.

Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Aaniiih Nakoda College

#24

Little Big Horn College

Crow Agency, Montana
38 Total Awards

Little Big Horn College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Little Big Horn College is located in Crow Agency, Montana and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 38 degrees to qualified students.

Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.

Read More…

Most Popular Trade School Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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