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Montana State University Billings

Billings, Montana · Public university · Training programs available:

Welding schoolsMedical billing & coding programsLPN / LVN programsRadiology & sonography programsEMT & paramedic trainingDiesel mechanic schoolsAuto mechanic schoolsConstruction trades programs
not reportedcompletion rate · Montana avg 52%
$18,209median debt of graduates
$39,531median earnings, 6 yrs after entry
$44,296median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
not reportedannual cost of attendance
Yesfederal aid (FAFSA / Pell) eligible
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education | Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology | National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education | National League for Nursing, Commission for Nurse Education Accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (Accredited)
Address: 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59101 · Phone: (406) 657-2011 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Accountability record (federal accreditation database, last 36 months; Department of Education oversight)
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Sanctions are probation, warning, show-cause and loss-of-accreditation actions by any recognized accreditor, including program-specific accreditors (a nursing-program probation counts for the campus). Routine monitoring reviews and voluntary withdrawals are not counted. Ask the school what the action concerned and how it was resolved.

Montana State University Billings is a public trade and career school in Billings, Montana offering welding, medical billing & coding, and LPN programs, accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, graduates of Montana State University Billings carry a median debt of $18,209 and earn a median of $44,296 ten years after entry; the campus's completion rate compared to the state average of 52.3% is not reported.

Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Montana State University Billings; federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used, and 25.4% of students receive Pell Grants.

What these trades pay once you're working

OccupationStarting (10th pct)MedianExperienced (75th)
Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers$43,720$55,610$63,520
Medical records specialists$40,460$50,190$59,770
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses$49,230$62,210$66,850
Radiologic technologists and technicians$55,750$77,070$82,140
Emergency medical technicians$27,280$36,140$41,530
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists$44,880$59,990$71,180
Automotive service technicians and mechanics$38,170$58,740$72,270
Construction laborers$37,720$49,830$58,750

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Montana (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.

Trade programs at this campus

ProgramCredentialGrads / yrEarnings, yr 1Earnings, yr 2Median debt
Health and Medical Administrative Services Certificate, 1–2 years 21 not reported not reported $12,000
Precision Metal Working Associate degree 21 not reported $36,848 not reported
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants Certificate, 1–2 years 15 not reported not reported not reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Associate degree 12 $48,100 not reported not reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Associate degree 12 $48,100 not reported not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Associate degree 10 $40,226 $39,909 not reported
Precision Metal Working Certificate, 1–2 years 7 not reported not reported not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Associate degree 4 $40,226 $39,909 not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Associate degree 3 $40,226 $39,909 not reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Certificate, 1–2 years 2 not reported not reported not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Certificate, 1–2 years 2 not reported not reported not reported
Carpenters Associate degree 1 not reported not reported not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Certificate, 1–2 years 1 not reported not reported not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Certificate, 1–2 years 1 not reported not reported not reported

Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.

Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.

Visit the school's website ↗

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About this school

Montana State University Billings is a public college in Billings, Montana, accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities along with several program-specific accreditors including the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here. Among its 14 trade and career program offerings, the campus awards the most credentials in welding, medical billing & coding, and LPN/LVN programs, with 112 trade completers reported.

Federal data shows the state average completion rate is 52.3%, though this campus's own completion rate compared to that state average is not reported for this campus in federal data. Graduates carry a median debt of $18,209, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $44,296. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 25.4% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of low-income enrollment.

This campus offers a mix of shorter career-focused programs, such as welding and medical billing & coding, alongside programs like LPN/LVN and radiologic technology that may involve more structured coursework. Programs vary in length and format, so prospective students, including adult career changers, should confirm specific program length and schedule directly with the school. To verify accreditation status and review updated federal outcome data, check the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.

Questions students ask

What trade and career programs does this campus offer?

Montana State University Billings offers 14 trade and career programs, with the most completers in welding, medical billing & coding, and LPN/LVN programs. Other program families include radiologic technology, EMT training, diesel and auto mechanics, and construction trades.

Is this school accredited, and by whom?

Yes, the school is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, along with program-specific accreditors including the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, and the National League for Nursing.

Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?

Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants.

What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?

The state average completion rate is 52.3%, but this campus's completion rate and its comparison to the state average are not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school directly or check the College Scorecard for updates.

How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?

Graduates carry a median debt of $18,209, per federal Scorecard data.

What do graduates of this school earn?

Median earnings 10 years after entry are $44,296, per federal Scorecard data.

How much does it cost to attend for a year?

Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school at (406) 657-2011 or visit https://www.msubillings.edu/ for current tuition figures.

Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?

This is a public school, which typically means lower tuition for in-state residents and eligibility for state funding, though actual costs should be confirmed with the school.

How long do the programs here take to complete?

Program lengths are not reported in the available data. Contact the school directly to confirm program duration and schedule.

How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?

You can verify accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and review federal outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?180179.

Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?

The campus offers both shorter career-focused programs like welding and medical billing & coding and longer programs like LPN/LVN, so fit depends on individual scheduling needs; program length and format details are not fully specified here, so contact the school to discuss options.

What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?

Licensing and certification requirements are not reported in the available data. Contact the school directly to learn what credentials follow each program.

How do I contact the school or apply?

You can reach Montana State University Billings at (406) 657-2011 or through its website at https://www.msubillings.edu/.

How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?

Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported in this dataset. Use the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?180179 to compare outcomes across schools.

Other trade and career schools in Billings, MT

See all trade and career schools in Montana or search by ZIP code.

Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.

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