Location: Bozeman, MT•In-State Tuition: $8,083•Out-of-State Tuition: $31,337•Admission Rate: 87%•Avg SAT: 1154
Median Earnings (1yr)
$36,931
95th percentile
Median Debt
$18,880
31% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.51 ManageableSample: 19 graduates Limited data

Analysis

Montana State's Design and Applied Arts associate program posts impressive first-year earnings of $36,931—crushing the national median by over $9,000 and landing in the 95th percentile nationally. That's rare performance for an associate degree in this field, where most programs struggle to hit $30,000. The $18,880 in typical debt translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51, meaning graduates earn roughly twice what they owe.

The small sample size here (fewer than 30 graduates tracked) demands caution—a handful of outliers could skew these numbers significantly. Montana only has two schools offering this program, so the 60th percentile state ranking doesn't tell us much. What matters more is the absolute earning power: $36,931 gives an associate-degree holder breathing room that many bachelor's programs can't match, especially in Montana's lower cost-of-living environment.

For families weighing trade school versus traditional college paths, this program demonstrates how targeted technical training can deliver immediate returns. Just recognize you're looking at limited data from a very accessible school (87% admission rate). If your student thrives in hands-on creative work and wants to stay in Montana, this appears to be a low-risk entry point into the field.

Where Montana State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all design and applied arts associates's programs nationally

Montana State UniversityOther design and applied arts programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Montana State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Montana State University earns $37k — 95th percentile among design and applied arts associates programs.

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Design and Applied Arts associates's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Montana State UniversityBozeman$8,083$36,931—$18,8800.51
Interior Designers InstituteNewport Beach$20,250$52,768$46,273$23,8140.45
The New SchoolNew York$56,386$44,640$54,096$21,2110.48
Austin Community College DistrictAustin$2,550$40,289$40,255$19,9390.49
Minneapolis Community and Technical CollegeMinneapolis$6,128$40,230$29,825$18,6010.46
Century CollegeWhite Bear Lake$6,182$39,850$34,586$15,0000.38
National Median—$27,846—$14,4540.52

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with design and applied arts graduates

Art Directors

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.

$111,040/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

$99,800/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web and Digital Interface Designers

Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Video Game Designers

Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in architecture and architectural design, such as architectural environmental design, interior architecture/design, and landscape architecture. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Fashion Designers

Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.

$80,690/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Commercial and Industrial Designers

Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.

$79,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Set and Exhibit Designers

Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

$66,280/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Interior Designers

Plan, design, and furnish the internal space of rooms or buildings. Design interior environments or create physical layouts that are practical, aesthetic, and conducive to the intended purposes. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design.

$63,490/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Graphic Designers

Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.

$61,300/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Artists and Related Workers, All Other

All artists and related workers not listed separately.

$56,260/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Montana State University, approximately 17% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 19 graduates with reported earnings and 20 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.