Health and Medical Administrative Services at Montana State University Billings

Based on comparable programs nationally, Montana State University Billings' healthcare administration bachelor's appears to deliver what you'd expect: first-year earnings around $44,345 with $26,500 in debt. That 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in reasonable territory—you're not looking at the massive debt loads that plague some four-year programs. The debt here actually runs lower than the national median for this field ($30,998), which suggests the program costs less than similar offerings elsewhere.

The challenge is the earnings ceiling. Peer programs nationally show a 75th percentile of just $50,580, meaning even strong performers in this field aren't breaking through to high salaries in those crucial early years. Healthcare administration can be a stable career path, but it tends to reward experience and advanced credentials more than an entry-level bachelor's. For students planning to stay in Montana's smaller healthcare market, that $44,000 starting point may stretch differently than in urban markets where these roles compete with higher-paying alternatives.

The real question is career trajectory. If your child sees this as a stepping stone—planning to add a master's degree or aiming for management roles after gaining experience—the modest debt load keeps those options open. But if they're expecting the bachelor's alone to deliver immediate financial returns, these estimated figures suggest tempering those expectations.