Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Montana Technological University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 suggests manageable loan payments, but the underlying numbers tell a more complicated story. Based on similar health sciences bachelor's programs nationally, graduates might expect around $35,000 in first-year earnings against roughly $25,000 in debt. That earnings figure is actually above what Carroll College—Montana's only other school reporting outcomes for this degree—posts at just over $30,000. However, health sciences is an unusually broad umbrella, encompassing everything from health administration to pre-professional tracks, and without actual outcome data from Montana Tech, it's difficult to know which career paths their specific graduates pursue.

The concern isn't the debt load itself—monthly payments would consume about 14% of gross income under standard repayment, which is workable. The question is whether $35,000 represents a realistic starting salary for Montana Tech's particular program focus. If graduates are entering roles like health information technicians or community health workers, these estimates could be on target. If the program primarily feeds into graduate health programs (nursing, PT, OT), then these bachelor's-level earnings become less relevant since career outcomes depend on additional training. Before committing, parents should ask the department directly: What specific careers do your graduates pursue immediately after this degree, and what do they typically earn in those first positions?