Salish Kootenai College vs The University of Montana-Western
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Salish Kootenai College Pablo, MT | The University of Montana-Western Dillon, MT | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Poor return |
| 10-year ROI | +399% | -25% |
| 10-year net gain | $145,541 | $-18,585 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $63,203 | $50,530 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $52,607 | $36,742 |
| Average net price | $7,945 | $16,558 |
| Median debt | $12,923 | $21,000 |
| Break-even | 2 yrs | 13.4 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 28% | 51% |
| Admission rate | — | 100% |
Salish Kootenai College
Strong return
+$145,541 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
The University of Montana-Western
Poor return
$-18,585 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.