Computer Engineering at Montana Technological University

A first-year salary near $79,000 positions this program well above the state's typical $67,000 for computer engineering graduates, though these figures come from comparable programs nationally and statewide rather than Montana Tech's own graduates. The estimated debt load of $23,125 is manageable relative to those earnings—about three months of gross income—and sits below both the national and Montana medians for this degree.

The challenge for parents is that Montana has only three schools offering computer engineering, making meaningful state-level comparisons difficult. Montana State, the only in-state program with reported data, shows $67,000 earnings, which would suggest Montana Tech's estimated $79,000 is optimistic. However, Montana Tech's engineering focus and smaller program size (which is why data is suppressed) could plausibly produce different outcomes than MSU's larger, more general engineering environment.

The debt-to-earnings picture looks solid if the national estimates hold, but parents should recognize they're making a decision with incomplete information. Talk directly with Montana Tech's career services about actual placement rates and starting salaries for recent computer engineering graduates. Ask about co-op programs and employer relationships in the Mountain West tech sector, as those practical connections matter more than estimated averages when choosing between Montana's limited options.