Health and Medical Administrative Services at Montana State University Billings

Montana State University Billings stands out nationally for this health administration certificate, with graduates earning $34,171—placing it in the 95th percentile compared to the 1,379 programs nationwide. That's roughly $6,400 more than the typical program produces. However, with only 7 schools offering this certificate in Montana and limited graduate data, these numbers require careful interpretation.

The debt picture looks manageable at $21,250, translating to a 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio. While that's about twice the national median debt for this program, it's still well below the concerning 1.0 threshold where annual debt equals first-year salary. Graduates would face roughly $230 monthly in federal loan payments—tight but potentially feasible on $34,000. The debt sits at just the 7th percentile nationally, meaning 93% of similar programs carry less debt, which is worth considering.

The major caveat here is sample size: fewer than 30 recent graduates means one exceptional or struggling student can significantly skew the numbers. These figures might not represent the typical experience. For parents, this certificate could work as a low-risk credential to enter healthcare administration quickly, but given the small Montana market and limited data, it's essential to verify current job placement rates and confirm the debt numbers with financial aid directly before committing.