Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology at Miles Community College

An estimated $12,000 in debt against first-year earnings around $45,000 suggests a manageable financial outcome for this technical program. While these figures come from peer programs nationally rather than Miles Community College's specific track record, they point to a credential that could pay for itself relatively quickly—the debt would represent just over three months of first-year income. That's considerably below the estimated national median debt of roughly $15,000 for similar programs.

The challenge here is Montana's limited market. With only two schools statewide offering this associate's degree, there's clearly not massive demand for this specific credential in the state. That doesn't necessarily mean poor job prospects—electricians and electronics technicians remain in demand across rural areas—but it does raise questions about whether employers in Montana specifically value this particular associate's degree over other pathways into the trades, like apprenticeships or certificate programs. The low Pell grant percentage (24%) suggests this program may not be attracting many traditional community college students.

For a family considering this investment, the modest estimated debt load makes it a relatively low-risk option if your student is committed to electrical work and prefers a structured educational environment over learning on the job. Just recognize you're making this decision with borrowed data from other schools, and the actual return could vary significantly based on local employment patterns that two programs can't fully reveal.