Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Dawson Community College

Dawson Community College's Liberal Arts associate degree shows earnings that lag behind Montana's other community colleges, ranking in just the 25th percentile statewide—meaning three-quarters of similar programs in Montana produce higher graduate earnings. While the $11,000 median debt is manageable, first-year earnings of $25,631 fall about $5,000 short of what graduates earn from comparable programs at schools like Helena College or Flathead Valley Community College.

The 51% earnings growth over four years tells a more optimistic story, with incomes rising to $38,679—a trajectory that could eventually justify the investment. However, that strong growth pattern starts from a notably low baseline, and it's worth remembering these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, making the data less reliable than larger programs.

For Montana families, this appears to be a weaker option among the state's associate degree programs. Unless your student has compelling reasons to attend in Glendive specifically—like staying close to home or a unique community connection—programs at Montana State, University of Montana, or other community colleges offer similar debt loads with substantially better starting salaries. The low debt keeps this from being a poor decision, but it's not the strongest value proposition Montana offers.