Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians at Montana State University Billings

Montana State University Billings graduates earn $68,144 in their first year—well above the national median of $58,261 for this field and in the top 15% nationally. With estimated debt around $12,000 based on the school's typical borrowing patterns, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.18 is exceptionally strong for a technical associate degree. That means graduates could theoretically pay off their debt in just over two months of gross earnings, though the reality involves living expenses and taxes.

The caveat: we're working with estimated debt here since the graduating class was too small for the Department of Education to publish actual figures. However, the earnings data is real and speaks to the demand for electromechanical technicians in Montana's industrial economy. The estimated $12,000 in debt is also lower than the national median for this program ($13,084), which aligns with Montana State Billings serving a substantial share of Pell-eligible students who often minimize borrowing.

The practical takeaway is straightforward. Strong first-year earnings combined with modest estimated debt creates a favorable financial picture for technical training. While we can't verify the exact debt load every graduate carries, the fundamentals—solid wages for skilled trades work and lower-than-average estimated borrowing—suggest this program delivers meaningful economic mobility without crushing debt.