Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Montana State University Billings

Montana State University Billings offers this networking certificate with estimated outcomes that track directly with the national median—first-year earnings around $37,000 against roughly $15,000 in debt. That 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio sits comfortably in affordable territory, suggesting graduates could manage loan payments on about 4% of their income under standard repayment terms.

The challenge here is that with only one school offering this certificate in Montana and no reported outcomes from peer programs, you're betting on national patterns holding true in Billings. Tech networking roles exist across healthcare systems, government offices, and businesses throughout Montana, but the state's smaller tech sector means fewer positions and potentially different salary trajectories than coastal markets. The estimated $37,000 starting point reflects what similar certificates produce nationally—whether Montana State's specific curriculum and local employer connections deliver comparable results remains unconfirmed.

For families considering this path, the modest debt load provides a safety net if outcomes fall short of estimates. But given Montana State is your only in-state option for this credential, talk directly with the program about job placement rates and where recent graduates actually landed work. A certificate makes most sense when it leads to specific local employment—abstract national benchmarks matter less than concrete connections to Billings-area employers who'll hire certificate holders.