Career Training Path › Montana › Salish Kootenai College
Salish Kootenai College
Pablo, Montana · Public college · Training programs available:
Address: 58138 US Highway 93, Pablo, MT 59855 · Phone: (406) 275-4931 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Salish Kootenai College is a public trade school in Pablo, Montana, offering heavy equipment operator, dental assistant, and medical assistant programs, accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, median graduate debt is $12,923 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $32,725; completion rate versus the state average is not reported for this campus.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Salish Kootenai College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here, and 57.6% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators | $48,130 | $61,580 | $72,130 |
| Dental assistants | $37,340 | $46,680 | $49,920 |
| Medical assistants | $38,670 | $46,820 | $48,960 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Transportation | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | $24,002 | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | 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
Salish Kootenai College is a public trade and career training campus located in Pablo, Montana, in a distant rural setting. The school participates in federal student aid programs, meaning students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants to help pay for their education. It holds accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and specific programs are also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. The campus's top trade programs are Heavy equipment operator schools, Dental assistant schools, and Medical assistant programs, with 4 program families and 13 trade completers reported among an undergraduate enrollment of 580.
On outcomes, the campus's completion rate compared to the Montana state average is not reported for this campus in federal data, though the state average completion rate is 52.3%. Median debt among graduates is $12,923, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $32,725, per federal data. Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 57.6% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of lower-income students are enrolled.
This campus may suit students interested in shorter, hands-on trade programs such as heavy equipment operation, dental assisting, or medical assisting, though specific program lengths are not reported here. Given the Pell percentage and rural locale, it may serve local and lower-income students seeking career training close to home; adult career-changer fit cannot be confirmed from the data provided. To verify accreditation and outcomes directly, check the listed accreditors and consult the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard using the school's identifier.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Salish Kootenai College offers Heavy equipment operator schools, Dental assistant schools, and Medical assistant programs, totaling 4 program families.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, it is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, with specific programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in federal Title IV aid programs, so FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate for this campus compared to the Montana state average of 52.3% is not reported in federal data. Contact the school or check the College Scorecard for updates.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is $12,923, per the College Scorecard.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $32,725, per the College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Salish Kootenai College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition costs and eligibility for state and federal funding support.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school for details on specific program durations.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and check outcomes on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at the provided link.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
This cannot be determined from the available data, as program length and schedule details are not reported; contact the school to discuss fit for career changers.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school for program-specific requirements.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Salish Kootenai College at (406) 275-4931 or visit their website at https://www.skc.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; consult the College Scorecard to compare outcomes across institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in Montana
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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.