Computer and Information Sciences at Stone Child College

Stone Child College's Computer and Information Sciences associate's program operates in a context where outcome data is inherently limited—the small graduate cohorts typical of a tribal college mean the Department of Education suppresses specific figures to protect student privacy. Based on national medians for similar programs, graduates might expect around $36,000 in first-year earnings with roughly $12,500 in debt, yielding a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35.

That estimated debt load is actually below the national median for computer science associate's programs ($14,932), which matters considerably at this earnings level. A $2,400 difference in debt translates to meaningful monthly payment differences when you're starting at $36,000 annually. The national earnings benchmark suggests this is middle-of-the-road territory for associate's-level tech programs—not the strong returns you'd see at top-performing schools, but workable if the degree leads to steady employment.

The critical unknown here is local job placement. Box Elder is remote, and Montana has only nine schools offering this program statewide. Whether Stone Child's graduates stay in Montana, what specific employers they connect with, and how the curriculum aligns with regional tech needs will determine if these national estimates hold true. For families considering this path, the lower estimated debt is encouraging, but direct conversations with the college about graduate employment patterns and industry partnerships are essential before committing.