Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Montana State University Billings

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 suggests manageable repayment—based on comparable programs nationally, graduates typically start around $66,600 while carrying roughly $24,700 in loans. That translates to less than four months of gross salary owed, which by any practical standard should be workable. For engineering technology careers, these estimated figures align with the field's middle tier: you're not looking at pure engineering salaries, but technician roles that blend hands-on skills with technical knowledge tend toward steady, if not spectacular, compensation.

The challenge here is visibility. Montana State University Billings is the only school in the state offering this bachelor's program, yet enrollment is apparently too small for the Department of Education to report actual outcomes. That isolation cuts both ways—your student won't have in-state alternatives to compare, but they're also entering a less crowded market where technical skills may command a premium. The national benchmarks we're using come from just 49 programs nationwide, suggesting this is already a niche credential.

Given the limited data, focus on program specifics: what industries recruit from this campus, whether internships lead to job offers, and how the curriculum matches Montana's industrial base (mining, energy, manufacturing). The debt load appears reasonable, but without confirmed outcomes from this particular program, you'll need stronger assurances that graduates actually transition into those $66,000+ roles.