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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. Located in Great Falls, Montana, the small public school awarded 285 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.

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#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 attend Montana State University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $312, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, MSU Bozeman graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,198 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Montana State University - Billings. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana list. Montana State University - Billings is a public institution located in Billings, Montana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 795 degrees in 2021-2022.

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.

Full Montana State University - Billings Report

#4

The University of Montana

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

Out of the 27 schools in Montana that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Montana landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in Missoula, Montana, the medium-sized public school awarded 3,194 diplomas to qualifed students 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. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.

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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. During the early years of their career, Highlands College of Montana Tech graduates make an average of $61,217 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 17% were women.

Read full report on Highlands College of Montana Tech

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.

Degree recipients from Montana State University - Northern accumulate an average of $20,524 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Montana State University - Northern, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,349 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 44% 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. Flathead Valley Community College is a public institution located in Kalispell, Montana. The school has a small population, and 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. Around 54% of those degree recipients 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 came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana ranking. Great Falls, Montana is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 103 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $6,485 in student loans. 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.

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#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 located in Great Falls, Montana and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 391 degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,621 in student loans. 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. Around 71% of those degree recipients 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, Montana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 209 students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Helena College accumulate an average of $17,556 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Helena College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,167 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.

Full Helena College University of Montana Report

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. Crevier’s Academy of Cosmetology Arts is a private for-profit institution located in Kalispell, Montana. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 61 degrees in 2021-2022.

After graduating from Crevier’s Academy of Cosmetology Arts, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $16,295 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 98% 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 landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. 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. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Salish Kootenai College Report

#13

Academy of Cosmetology

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

With a ranking of #13, Academy of Cosmetology did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Academy of Cosmetology is a very small private for-profit school situated in Bozeman, Montana. It awarded 21 degrees in 2021-2022.

Once they receive their degree, Academy of Cosmetology graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $19,063 during the early year of their career. Around 100% of those degree recipients were women.

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#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. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Billings, Montana, and it awarded 274 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $64,213 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Rocky graduates make an average of $47,324 annually. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.

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#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. Carroll Montana is a private not-for-profit institution located in Helena, Montana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 255 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Carroll Montana accumulate an average of $22,163 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Carroll Montana graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,212 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 64% 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. Located in Butte, Montana, the very small private for-profit school handed out 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. Once they receive their degree, Butte Academy of Beauty graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $12,598 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.

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#17

Miles Community College

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

Miles Community College 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. Miles Community College is a very small public school located in Miles City, Montana that handed out 123 degrees 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. 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. 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

Fort Peck Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana list. Fort Peck Community College is located in Poplar, Montana and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 82 degrees to qualified students.

Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.

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#20

Blackfeet Community College

Browning, Montana
64 Total Awards

Blackfeet Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana list. Located in Browning, Montana, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 64 degrees in 2021-2022.

Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.

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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. Located in Butte, Montana, the small public school handed out 381 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,460 in student loans.After graduating from Montana Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $63,042 during the early years of their career. Around 39% of those degree recipients were women.

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#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. This very small public school is located in Glendive, Montana, and it awarded 111 degrees 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. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Dawson Community College

#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. Located in Box Elder, Montana, the very small public school handed out 24 degrees in 2021-2022.

Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.

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#24

Aaniiih Nakoda College

Harlem, Montana
45 Total Awards

Aaniiih Nakoda College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #24 on the list. Harlem, Montana is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 45 students in 2021-2022.

Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

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#24

Little Big Horn College

Crow Agency, Montana
38 Total Awards

Little Big Horn College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Montana list. 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.

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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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