Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Miles Community College

Computer technology programs at community colleges typically represent solid value, and the estimated figures here suggest Miles Community College's associate degree follows that pattern. Similar programs nationally produce first-year earnings around $42,000 with debt near $17,500—a manageable 0.42 ratio that means roughly five months of gross pay to cover what you'd owe. That's well within the comfort zone for technical credentials, though these are national estimates rather than outcomes specific to Miles City graduates.

The Montana context matters significantly here. With only three schools offering this program statewide, the IT job market in eastern Montana will differ dramatically from what you'd find in Missoula or Bozeman. Tech jobs in rural areas tend to be concentrated in healthcare systems, local government, and small business support—stable work, but potentially with fewer advancement paths than urban markets. If your child plans to stay in the Miles City area or work remotely, the lower cost of living could make that $42,000 stretch further than the same salary would elsewhere.

The practical takeaway: This appears to be a reasonable investment if your child can secure IT work after graduation, but the estimated nature of these figures means you're working with less certainty than you'd have at larger Montana schools with reported data. Talk to the program director about where recent graduates have landed jobs—that local placement record will tell you more than any national estimate can.