Computer and Information Sciences at Fort Peck Community College

Fort Peck Community College's Computer and Information Sciences associate's program operates in a data vacuum—with too few graduates to report outcomes, we're relying on what comparable programs nationally suggest. That national benchmark of roughly $36,000 in first-year earnings represents the median for all associate's programs in this field, but it tells us nothing about whether Fort Peck's rural Montana location and specific curriculum produce similar results. The estimated $12,500 debt load is manageable compared to many programs, suggesting a debt-to-earnings ratio that would typically be considered reasonable.

The challenge here is that Montana has nine schools offering this credential, but none with publicly reported outcomes to anchor expectations. For a parent in rural northeastern Montana, the real question isn't whether these estimated numbers look acceptable on paper—they do—but whether Fort Peck's specific program connects graduates to IT jobs in the region or prepares them for transfer to four-year institutions. With only 21% of students receiving Pell grants, this appears to serve a less economically disadvantaged population than many tribal colleges, but that demographic detail doesn't clarify career outcomes.

**The bottom line**: The estimated figures suggest affordability, but you're essentially betting on a program without track record data. Contact Fort Peck directly for graduate placement information and ask specifically where recent completers are working—that conversation matters more than these national proxies.