When pursuing a college degree in today's world, there are many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its Best Associate Degree Colleges in Montana ranking as one thing you can use to help make this decision.
We analyzed 8 colleges and universities across Montana to determine which ones have the best associate degree programs. Our ranking for the best schools is based on objective factors. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another. The following gives more info on what goes into our ranking factors and why we consider those factors.
Better Early-Career Average Salaries
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of associate graduates during the early years of their career. Recent students who earned a associate degree in Montana entered the job market making an average of $40,073 while those in the top 6 schools on our list made an average of $40,828.
Starting Salary ( 26875 to 49137 )
Student Loan Borrowing
Students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their associate so we factor that into our rankings as well.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients from schools in Montana have accumulated an average of $20,221 in student debt.
We consider this number in conjunction with average post-graduation earnings to gauge the difficulty associate recipients will have paying back their loans.
Additional Ranking Factors We Use
In addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt loads, we also look at a host of other factors to determining our Best Associate Degree Schools ranking.
These factors include things like the educational resources, the demand associated with the school, whether or not the school offers online classes, and the student body caliber - just to name a few.
Are you more interested in the top associate degree schools in your area? Try narrowing this list by location. Also, check out our other college rankings to help you with your college decision.
Our 2024 rankings named Montana State University the best school in Montana in terms of overall quality for students working on their associate degree. MSU Bozeman is located in Bozeman, Montana and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 117 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a associate degree from MSU Bozeman go into careers with an average salary of $25,867 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $15,702 in student loans.
Out of the 8 associate degree schools in Montana that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Montana - Western landed the #2 spot on the list. Montana Western is a small public school situated in Dillon, Montana. It awarded 128 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Montana. The school came in at #3 in Montana on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. The University of Montana is a medium-sized public school located in Missoula, Montana that handed out 256 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from UM is $38,847 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $23,425.
A rank of #4 on our Best Associate Degree in Montana list means Montana State University - Billings is a great place for students working on their degree. Located in Billings, Montana, the small public school handed out 221 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $48,998 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $22,188 after getting their degree.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Montana State University - Northern. The school came in at #5 in Montana on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. This small public school is located in Havre, Montana, and it awarded 116 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $20,547 after getting their degree.
With a ranking of #6, Helena College University of Montana did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Montana list. Helena College is located in Helena, Montana and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 171 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Helena College make an average of $37,167 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $18,971 after getting their degree.
With a ranking of #7, Miles Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Montana list. Located in Miles City, Montana, the small public school handed out 99 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Miles Community College make an average of $57,867 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $21,799 in student loans.
Flathead Valley Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Montana list. Flathead Valley Community College is located in Kalispell, Montana and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 267 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $36,219 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $18,144.
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%.
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