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Montana State University
Bozeman, Montana · Public university · Training programs available:
Address: Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717 · Phone: (406) 994-0211 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Montana State University is a public trade and career school in Bozeman, MT offering welding, CNC/machining, and medical assistant programs, accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, graduates of Montana State University carry a median debt of $22,500 and earn a median of $53,263 ten years after entry; the campus completion rate compared to the state average of 52.3% is not reported.
Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data, but Montana State University participates in Title IV federal financial aid, and about 16.4% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $43,720 | $55,610 | $63,520 |
| Machinists | $37,940 | $60,920 | $68,760 |
| Medical assistants | $38,670 | $46,820 | $48,960 |
| Phlebotomists | $36,950 | $45,470 | $48,480 |
| Construction laborers | $37,720 | $49,830 | $58,750 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $38,200 | $57,470 | $72,020 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $41,900 | $60,850 | $75,790 |
| Medical records specialists | $40,460 | $50,190 | $59,770 |
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
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 19 | $38,741 | $33,459 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | $38,741 | $33,459 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 12 | not reported | $29,685 | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 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.
About this school
Montana State University is a public university located in Bozeman, Montana, a small city setting. The school participates in federal financial aid (Title IV), meaning eligible students can use FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants. MSU holds accreditation from several bodies, including the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, along with program-specific accreditors such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Within its broader academic offerings, the campus awards trade and career-focused credentials, most commonly in welding schools, CNC and machining programs, and medical assistant programs, among a total of nine program families tracked.
Federal data show 76 trade program completers against an undergraduate enrollment of 14,451. The state average completion rate is 52.3%, but this campus's own completion rate and its comparison to that state average are not reported for this campus in federal data. Graduates carry a median debt of $22,500, and median earnings ten years after entry are $53,263. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 16.4% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating some share of low-income enrollment.
Because trade program lengths and specific delivery formats are not detailed here, prospective students should confirm scheduling and duration directly with the school before enrolling, particularly if considering a career change. Anyone weighing this option should verify accreditation status and outcomes through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and contact the university directly for current program details, admissions requirements, and cost figures not captured in this data.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Montana State University offers nine trade program families, most notably welding schools, CNC and machining programs, and medical assistant programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited, including by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, along with several program-specific accreditors such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so eligible students can use FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The campus's own completion rate is not reported for this campus in federal data. The state average completion rate is 52.3%, but a direct comparison is not reported.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $22,500, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $53,263, per federal 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) 994-0211 or visit its website for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Montana State University is a public institution, which typically means it receives state funding and often has lower published tuition rates than private schools, though this varies.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in the data provided; contact the school directly to confirm scheduling and duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation and review federal outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?180461.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
Specific program lengths and delivery formats for career-changers are not reported here, so adults considering a switch should contact the school directly to discuss scheduling fit.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Montana State University at (406) 994-0211 or through its website at https://www.montana.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
This data does not include comparative information on nearby schools; consult the College Scorecard to compare campuses directly.
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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.