Montana Trade Schools: Cost, Completion & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Trade schools in Montana: 15 trade and vocational campuses (6 trade schools, 9 community colleges) median net price $10,405 (-26.8% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $30,528 (-12.7% vs U.S.) median completion rate 44.7% employment-outcome proxy 82.6% working & not enrolled at 8 years.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 15 campuses (6 trade schools, 9 community colleges)
- Total enrollment: 4,885 students
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $30,528 (-12.7% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 82.6% (+1.7 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $10,405 (-26.8% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $11,000 (+13.4% vs U.S. $9,699); regional median $9,500. Debt rank: #46 nationally of 52 (lower debt = better rank); #5 in Rocky Mountains of 5
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 44.7%
- Earnings rank: #45 nationally (higher median 10-yr earnings = better rank)
- Employment-outcome rank: #18 nationally (higher working share = better rank)
- Student debt rank: #46 nationally of 52; #5 in Rocky Mountains of 5 (lower debt = better rank)
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Full profile payload including top-college lists and peer comparisons.
Overview
Trade schools and vocational programs in Montana include certificate-focused campuses and community colleges with career and technical education pathways. 15 campuses in this profile (6 trade schools, 9 community colleges), with about 4,885 students enrolled, and median net price near $10,405. Programs span healthcare, skilled trades, manufacturing, and other workforce credentials—tables below compare completion, earnings, and employment outcomes with U.S. and Rocky Mountains medians.
Montana vs regional & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana (MT) | — | $10,405 | $11,000 | 44.7% | 4,885 |
| Rocky Mountains (region median) | — | $15,132 | $9,500 | 72.4% | 273,018 |
| United States | — | $14,215 | $9,699 | 63.3% | 5,490,315 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Montana vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana (MT) | $30,528 | 82.6% | N/A | 11.1% | — | 72.1% | 0.31 |
| United States | $34,984 | 80.9% | 64.9% | 11.1% | — | 50.5% | 0.28 |
Montana vs peer states (Rocky Mountains region)
Peer states are other campuses in the same Scorecard region, chosen by similar total enrollment.
| State | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana (MT) | N/A | $10,405 | $11,000 | 44.7% | 4,885 | $30,528 | 82.6% |
| Wyoming (WY) | N/A | $9,346 | $8,622 | 51.8% | 11,739 | $40,706 | 83.8% |
| Idaho (ID) | N/A | $18,788 | $9,500 | 73.4% | 60,428 | $25,945 | 79.2% |
| Colorado (CO) | N/A | $15,132 | $9,500 | 72.4% | 67,707 | $38,868 | 80.3% |
| Utah (UT) | N/A | $16,134 | $9,250 | 83.6% | 128,259 | $35,032 | 77.5% |
| United States | N/A | $14,215 | $9,699 | 63.3% | 5,490,315 | $34,984 | 80.9% |
Outcomes by sector in Montana
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private for-profit | 3 | $21,444 | 82.2% | N/A | 7.0% | — | 51.2% |
| Public | 11 | $38,034 | 82.6% | N/A | 11.2% | — | 73.7% |
Top 10 trade schools in Montana by completion rate (150% time, certificate programs)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate among trade schools and community colleges in this profile (enrollment ≥ 50). Source: College Scorecard.
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Rank 1, Completion Rate, 93.2%, Crevier's Academy of Cosmetology Arts
Crevier's Academy of Cosmetology Arts
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Rank 2, Completion Rate, 83.3%, Aveda Institute Montana
Aveda Institute Montana
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Rank 3, Completion Rate, 67.0%, Montana Academy of Salons
Montana Academy of Salons
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Rank 4, Completion Rate, 61.7%, Miles Community College
Miles Community College
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Rank 5, Completion Rate, 45.1%, Dawson Community College
Dawson Community College
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Rank 6, Completion Rate, 44.7%, Highlands College of Montana Tech
Highlands College of Montana Tech
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Rank 7, Completion Rate, 34.1%, Great Falls College Montana State University
Great Falls College Montana State University
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Rank 8, Completion Rate, 33.3%, Helena College University of Montana
Helena College University of Montana
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Rank 9, Completion Rate, 29.2%, Flathead Valley Community College
Flathead Valley Community College
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Rank 10, Completion Rate, 16.7%, Fort Peck Community College
Fort Peck Community College
Top 10 trade schools in Montana by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 89.4%, Miles Community College
Miles Community College
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 89.1%, Dawson Community College
Dawson Community College
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 88.5%, Montana Academy of Salons
Montana Academy of Salons
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Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 87.6%, Highlands College of Montana Tech
Highlands College of Montana Tech
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Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 85.2%, Helena College University of Montana
Helena College University of Montana
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Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 83.9%, Great Falls College Montana State University
Great Falls College Montana State University
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Rank 7, Employment Outcome, 82.6%, Flathead Valley Community College
Flathead Valley Community College
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Rank 8, Employment Outcome, 75.8%, Crevier's Academy of Cosmetology Arts
Crevier's Academy of Cosmetology Arts
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Rank 9, Employment Outcome, 73.5%, Chief Dull Knife College
Chief Dull Knife College
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Rank 10, Employment Outcome, 72.7%, Little Big Horn College
Little Big Horn College
Top 10 trade schools in Montana by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
None
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $48,356, Highlands College of Montana Tech
Highlands College of Montana Tech
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $37,317, Helena College University of Montana
Helena College University of Montana
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $37,252, Dawson Community College
Dawson Community College
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Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $35,912, Miles Community College
Miles Community College
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Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $35,625, Great Falls College Montana State University
Great Falls College Montana State University
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Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $32,850, Flathead Valley Community College
Flathead Valley Community College
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Rank 7, Mid-Career Earnings, $26,328, Fort Peck Community College
Fort Peck Community College
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Rank 8, Mid-Career Earnings, $25,016, Little Big Horn College
Little Big Horn College
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Rank 9, Mid-Career Earnings, $21,826, Montana Academy of Salons
Montana Academy of Salons
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Rank 10, Mid-Career Earnings, $19,990, Aaniiih Nakoda College
Aaniiih Nakoda College
Top 10 trade schools in Montana by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
None
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $52,895, Highlands College of Montana Tech
Highlands College of Montana Tech
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $45,004, Miles Community College
Miles Community College
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $37,804, Helena College University of Montana
Helena College University of Montana
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Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $36,005, Great Falls College Montana State University
Great Falls College Montana State University
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Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $35,738, Flathead Valley Community College
Flathead Valley Community College
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Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $34,533, Dawson Community College
Dawson Community College
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Rank 7, 8-Yr Earnings, $26,949, Aaniiih Nakoda College
Aaniiih Nakoda College
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Rank 8, 8-Yr Earnings, $25,990, Fort Peck Community College
Fort Peck Community College
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Rank 9, 8-Yr Earnings, $24,035, Little Big Horn College
Little Big Horn College
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Rank 10, 8-Yr Earnings, $20,732, Stone Child College
Stone Child College
Top 10 trade schools in Montana by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
None
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $54,329, Highlands College of Montana Tech
Highlands College of Montana Tech
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $42,862, Miles Community College
Miles Community College
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $41,951, Dawson Community College
Dawson Community College
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Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $40,738, Helena College University of Montana
Helena College University of Montana
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Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $38,520, Flathead Valley Community College
Flathead Valley Community College
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Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $38,034, Great Falls College Montana State University
Great Falls College Montana State University
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Rank 7, 10-Yr Earnings, $30,528, Aaniiih Nakoda College
Aaniiih Nakoda College
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Rank 8, 10-Yr Earnings, $28,841, Montana Academy of Salons
Montana Academy of Salons
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Rank 9, 10-Yr Earnings, $24,555, Stone Child College
Stone Child College
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Rank 10, 10-Yr Earnings, $21,152, Little Big Horn College
Little Big Horn College
Top 10 trade schools in Montana by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year ROI among trade schools and community colleges with enrollment ≥ 50.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $247,634, Highlands College of Montana Tech
Highlands College of Montana Tech
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $186,959, Miles Community College
Miles Community College
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $157,588, Dawson Community College
Dawson Community College
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $152,362, Flathead Valley Community College
Flathead Valley Community College
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Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $150,602, Great Falls College Montana State University
Great Falls College Montana State University
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Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $149,326, Helena College University of Montana
Helena College University of Montana
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Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $106,246, Fort Peck Community College
Fort Peck Community College
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Rank 8, 10-Yr ROI, $101,916, Montana Academy of Salons
Montana Academy of Salons
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Rank 9, 10-Yr ROI, $94,242, Aaniiih Nakoda College
Aaniiih Nakoda College
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Rank 10, 10-Yr ROI, $91,177, Little Big Horn College
Little Big Horn College
Top 10 most affordable trade schools in Montana (net price)
Lowest median net price among trade schools and community colleges with enrollment ≥ 50.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $400, Fort Peck Community College
Fort Peck Community College
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Rank 2, Net Price, $6,744, Crevier's Academy of Cosmetology Arts
Crevier's Academy of Cosmetology Arts
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Rank 3, Net Price, $8,331, Little Big Horn College
Little Big Horn College
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Rank 4, Net Price, $4,424, Stone Child College
Stone Child College
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Rank 5, Net Price, $7,887, Aaniiih Nakoda College
Aaniiih Nakoda College
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Rank 6, Net Price, $8,099, Flathead Valley Community College
Flathead Valley Community College
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Rank 7, Net Price, $9,931, Dawson Community College
Dawson Community College
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Rank 8, Net Price, $10,405, Miles Community College
Miles Community College
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Rank 9, Net Price, $12,468, Great Falls College Montana State University
Great Falls College Montana State University
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Rank 10, Net Price, $11,593, Helena College University of Montana
Helena College University of Montana
Student debt: Montana vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Montana is $11,000 (+13.4% vs U.S. median $9,699). Regional median: $9,500. Rank: #46 nationally of 52 (lower debt = better rank); #5 in Rocky Mountains of 5.
Median earnings (10 years out): Montana vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Montana center around $30,528 (-12.7% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Montana vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 82.6% at the median Montana campus (+1.7 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Median graduate debt is $11,000 (+13.4% above the U.S. median of $9,699, and +15.8% vs the Rocky Mountains regional median of $9,500). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Student debt rank: #46 nationally of 52 (lower debt = better rank); #5 in Rocky Mountains of 5 (1 = lowest median debt).
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Montana are $30,528, about -12.7% vs the U.S. campus median ($34,984).
The median campus reports 82.6% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 80.9% (+1.7 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 11.1% (U.S. 11.1%); 3-yr repayment progress 72.1% (U.S. 50.5%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Nationally, Montana ranks earnings #45 and employment proxy #18 on these outcome medians (1 = best).
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Miles Community College (89.4%), Dawson Community College (89.1%), Montana Academy of Salons (88.5%), Highlands College of Montana Tech (87.6%), Helena College University of Montana (85.2%), Great Falls College Montana State University (83.9%), Flathead Valley Community College (82.6%), Crevier's Academy of Cosmetology Arts (75.8%), Chief Dull Knife College (73.5%), Little Big Horn College (72.7%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Montana, sector medians diverge: Private for-profit median 10-yr earnings $21,444 (3 campuses); Public median 10-yr earnings $38,034 (11 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Montana is 44.7% (national institution average about 63.3%).
FAQ
How much do trade schools cost in Montana?
Among trade schools and community colleges in Montana, median net price is $10,405 vs $14,215 nationally (-26.8% vs U.S.).
What is typical student debt at Montana trade schools?
Median federal loan debt among completers at trade and vocational campuses in Montana is $11,000 vs a U.S. median of $9,699 (Montana ranks #46 nationally for median debt among states.)
What do trade school graduates earn in Montana?
Median earnings 10 years after entry for Montana trade schools and community colleges reporting to the College Scorecard is $30,528 vs $34,984 nationally. Six-year medians are $26,328.
What share of Montana trade school students are working after completion?
The federal employment-outcome proxy on this site (8-year cohort working and not enrolled) has a median of 82.6% in Montana vs 80.9% nationally.
How many trade schools are in Montana?
This profile covers 6 trade schools and 9 community colleges (15 total) in Montana with roughly 4,885 total reported enrollment.
How many public vs. private trade schools are in Montana?
Among trade schools and community colleges with outcomes in the College Scorecard extract: 11 public, 0 private nonprofit, and 3 private for-profit institutions.
What are the top trade schools in Montana?
Rankings on this page use College Scorecard medians for trade schools and community colleges; standouts include highest completion rate: Crevier's Academy of Cosmetology Arts; highest 10-year earnings: Highlands College of Montana Tech; lowest net price among large campuses: Fort Peck Community College. See the ranked lists below for full details.
Are there Hispanic-serving or other designated trade schools in Montana?
Among 29 campuses in Montana, 7 tribal colleges (IPEDS TRIBAL flag), including Blackfeet Community College, Chief Dull Knife College, and Aaniiih Nakoda College; 4 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Roman Catholic (2), United Church of Christ (1), Interdenominational (1).
How does Montana compare to its Census region for trade schools?
Montana is in the Rocky Mountains region. Regional median net price is $15,132 and median 10-year earnings are $36,712 vs $10,405 net price and $30,528 earnings in Montana.
Sources & related
- All trade school profiles
- Montana college profile
- Trade school costs by state
- Trade schools and public community colleges (College Scorecard)
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON