Construction Engineering Technologies at Helena College University of Montana

Based on similar construction engineering technology programs nationwide, graduates typically earn around $56,000 in their first year—a solid starting point for an associate degree in the trades. With estimated debt of about $12,600, you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22, meaning your child could theoretically pay off these loans in just over two months of gross income. That's a favorable financial profile for a two-year credential.

Montana's construction sector has shown steady demand for skilled workers, and Helena College's positioning as a public institution suggests reasonable tuition costs that align with these debt estimates. However, it's worth noting that the top earners in this field nationally—those at the 75th percentile—make around $73,300, indicating there's growth potential for those who advance into specialized roles or supervisory positions. The key question is whether this particular program provides the hands-on training and industry connections that lead to those outcomes.

The limitation here is that we're working entirely from peer program data since Helena College's cohort is too small to generate its own reportable outcomes. Before committing, your family should directly ask the school about graduate job placement rates, employer partnerships in the Helena area, and what recent completers are actually doing. For a trade-focused degree, those local connections often matter more than the estimated numbers suggest.