Information Science/Studies at Montana State University-Northern

An estimated debt of $25,000 for first-year earnings around $59,000 creates a manageable 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio—roughly five months of gross pay to cover the total loan balance. These figures come from national medians across similar Information Science programs, and while they suggest a relatively balanced investment, the small number of graduates from Montana State-Northern means we're working without school-specific outcomes. What we do know: Information Science tends to produce consistent results nationally, with typical first-year earnings clustering in the $59,000-$71,000 range depending on the program.

The challenge isn't the estimated numbers themselves but Montana's limited tech ecosystem. Havre sits hours from major employers, and with only two schools in the state offering this degree, the local job market for information specialists remains thin. Graduates often need to relocate to cities like Bozeman, Missoula, or out-of-state entirely to find positions that match their training—something that can complicate loan repayment if relocation costs eat into early earnings.

For families comfortable with their student likely leaving Montana for work, these estimates point to reasonable economics. But if staying in or near Havre matters, verify where recent graduates actually landed jobs and at what salaries, since the national medians may not reflect the rural reality of this particular campus.