Business/Commerce at Dawson Community College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30 suggests a manageable financial picture for this associate's business program, though both figures come from national averages of similar programs rather than Dawson's actual graduate outcomes. Based on comparable programs nationwide, first-year earnings around $36,600 would put a typical graduate in position to handle roughly $11,000 in debt—assuming this program follows the national pattern.

The challenge with Montana's small rural colleges is that few report usable data, making it difficult to know whether Dawson's graduates fare better or worse than these national benchmarks. What we can say is that an associate's in business typically opens doors to entry-level office work, retail management, or administrative roles in eastern Montana's agricultural and energy sectors. The question is whether those local opportunities align with the national earnings picture, or whether Glendive's remote location and smaller economy create a different reality.

For families weighing this investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable debt relative to likely earnings—but recognize you're making that bet without knowing how Dawson's specific graduates perform. If your student has local connections or plans to stay in the region, that relationship capital may matter more than the credential itself. If they're mobile and willing to relocate for better opportunities, consider whether starting at Dawson makes sense versus programs closer to Montana's larger job markets.