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Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana

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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 analysis found Great Falls College Montana State University to be the most popular school for trade school students in Montana. This small public school is located in Great Falls, Montana, and it awarded 285 degrees in 2021-2022.

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

Full Great Falls College Montana State University Report

#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 located in Bozeman, Montana and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,536 degrees to qualified students.

On average, students take out $23,447 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $312 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.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.

Full Montana State University Report

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

Out of the 27 schools in Montana that were part of this year’s ranking, Montana State University - Billings landed the # 3 spot on the list. Montana State University - Billings is located in Billings, Montana and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 795 degrees to qualified students.

On average, students take out $23,456 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Montana State University - Billings graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,648 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% 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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Montana. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana list. Located in Missoula, Montana, the medium-sized public school handed out 3,194 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from UM accumulate an average of $33,176 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $318 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UM graduates make an average of $38,416 annually. 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

The programs at Highlands College of Montana Tech helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Montana. Located in Butte, Montana, the very small public school handed out 139 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Highlands College of Montana Tech accumulate an average of $8,640 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Highlands College of Montana Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $61,217 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 17% were women.

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

With a ranking of #6, Montana State University - Northern did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Havre, Montana, the small public school handed out 277 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Montana State University - Northern accumulate an average of $20,524 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Montana State University - Northern graduates make an average of $43,349 annually. Around 44% of those degree recipients were women.

Read More…

#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. Flathead Valley Community College is a small public school situated in Kalispell, Montana. It awarded 293 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $13,544 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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.

Read full report on Flathead Valley Community College

#8

Montana Academy of Salons

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

Montana Academy of Salons landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. 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.

Degree recipients from Montana Academy accumulate an average of $6,485 in student debt by the time they complete 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.

Read full report on Montana Academy of Salons

#8

University of Providence

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

With a ranking of #8, University of Providence did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. University of Providence is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Great Falls, Montana. It awarded 391 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,621 in student loans.After graduating from University of Providence, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,532 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.

Read full report on University of Providence

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

Helena College University of Montana came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana ranking. Located in Helena, Montana, the small public school handed out 209 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $17,556 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Helena College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,167 during the early years of their career. Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.

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61 Total Awards
$16,295 Average Earnings

With a ranking of #11, Crevier’s Academy of Cosmetology Arts did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Crevier’s Academy of Cosmetology Arts is located in Kalispell, Montana and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 61 degrees to qualified students.

Once they receive their degree, Crevier’s Academy of Cosmetology Arts graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $16,295 during the early year of their career. Around 98% of those degree recipients were women.

Read More…

#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. Located in Pablo, Montana, the very small public school handed out 136 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,914 in student loans.After graduating from SKC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $24,002 during the early years of their career. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Salish Kootenai College

#13

Academy of Cosmetology

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

Academy of Cosmetology landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Academy of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution located in Bozeman, Montana. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 21 degrees in 2021-2022.

During the early years of their career, Academy of Cosmetology graduates make an average of $19,063 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 100% were women.

Full Academy of Cosmetology Report

#13

Rocky Mountain College

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

With a ranking of #13, Rocky Mountain College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. 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. During the early years of their career, Rocky graduates make an average of $47,324 annually. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Rocky Mountain College

#15

Carroll College

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

Carroll College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Helena, Montana, and it awarded 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. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Carroll College Report

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

Butte Academy of Beauty Culture came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana ranking. This very small private for-profit school is located in Butte, Montana, and it awarded 17 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Butte Academy of Beauty accumulate an average of $7,753 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Butte Academy of Beauty, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $12,598 during the early years of their career. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.

Read More…

#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 handed out 123 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Miles Community College accumulate an average of $17,203 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Miles Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $57,867 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.

Read More…

#19

Fort Peck Community College

Poplar, Montana
82 Total Awards

Fort Peck Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana list. This very small public school is located in Poplar, Montana, and it awarded 82 degrees in 2021-2022.

Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.

Read More…

#20

Blackfeet Community College

Browning, Montana
64 Total Awards

Blackfeet Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. BCC is located in Browning, Montana and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 64 degrees to qualified students.

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 landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Montana Technological University is a small public school located in Butte, Montana that handed out 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. Once they receive their degree, Montana Tech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $63,042 during the early year of their career. Around 39% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Montana Technological University

#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. DCC is a very small public school situated in Glendive, Montana. It awarded 111 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $9,586 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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

Stone Child College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. This very small public school is located in Box Elder, Montana, and it awarded 24 degrees in 2021-2022.

Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Stone Child College Report

#24

Aaniiih Nakoda College

Harlem, Montana
45 Total Awards

Aaniiih Nakoda College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Aaniiih Nakoda College is a very small public school situated in Harlem, Montana. It awarded 45 degrees in 2021-2022.

Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

Read More…

#24

Little Big Horn College

Crow Agency, Montana
38 Total Awards

With a ranking of #24, Little Big Horn College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Crow Agency, Montana is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 38 students in 2021-2022.

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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