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Key Takeaways
Best database management degree programs: U of Montana, Carroll College,
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $2,947 to $39,152/year
Great Falls College Monta... offers the most affordable option at $2,947/yr
Database Management degree programs available: 2 associate's in Montana
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
1 online database management degree programs in Montana
Flexible scheduling for working professionals
Montana community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
2 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: Oracle, Workiva, Zoot Enterprises, onXmaps
Tech hubs in Bozeman and Missoula
Hakia Research 2026
Database Management degree programs near 18+ cities across Montana
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated June 28, 2026
How we ranked Montana Database Management programs
We rank 4 accredited database management programs in Montana using IPEDS 2024 institutional data, BLS OEWS 2024 state salary data, and College Scorecard outcomes. A 4-factor weighted composite is normalized to a 0–100 score. Schools cannot pay for placement; rankings are produced algorithmically.
Are Database Management Degree Programs in Montana Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Database Management Degree Rankings in Montana
Compare the top-ranked Database Management programs in Montana by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Database Management Programs in Montana
Program Landscape
Montana offers 2 accredited associate's degree programs in database management, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Great Falls College Monta..., Flathead Valley Community..., which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.
Costs & Value
Community colleges in Montana offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $3,858/yr, significantly less than four-year university tuition. Students completing associate's degrees can pursue entry-level technical positions and transfer opportunities, with entry-level salaries averaging $49,429 in Montana.
Career Pathways
Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with Montana's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Bozeman, Missoula, Billings areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like Oracle, Workiva, Zoot Enterprises hiring for technical support, junior development, and IT specialist positions.
Curriculum & Specializations
Programs typically include coursework in programming fundamentals, database management, networking basics, and software development. Among database management schools in Montana, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their database management degrees in Montana.
Best Bachelor's Database Management Programs in Montana
Program Landscape
Montana ranks among the nation's top destinations for database management education, with 2 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 1 public and 1 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are U of Montana, Carroll College, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from Montana database management programs earn a median salary of $76,390, 22% below the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Bozeman, Missoula, Billings metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including Oracle, Workiva, Zoot Enterprises.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $5,736 to $39,152 annually, with an average of $22,444/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 100%, with the highest reaching 100%. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards.
Curriculum & Specializations
Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to Montana's leading technology employers. For students seeking database management degrees in Montana, these top-ranked database management schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Database Management Degree Costs & Tuition in Montana
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $13,151/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $32,878/year |
| Community college tuition | $3,288/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $78,908 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $19,726 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Database Management Students in Montana
State Aid Programs
Montana students pursuing database management degrees have access to multiple funding pathways designed to make higher education affordable. The primary federal resource is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available through (Federal Student Aid), which determines eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study programs. Montana residents attending public institutions benefit significantly from the state's commitment to affordable tuition, with four-year public universities averaging $4,747 for in-state students (IPEDS). Beyond federal aid, the (Montana University System Honor Scholarship) provides merit-based tuition waivers specifically for Montana high school graduates, reducing the financial burden for qualified applicants across the state's university network.
Key Programs & Amounts
Institutional scholarships and grant programs vary by school but are particularly strong at Montana's top-ranked database management institutions. The University of Montana and Montana State University, which lead state rankings for database management programs, offer competitive merit and need-based aid packages. Community college students benefit from even lower tuition costs, with two-year institutions in Montana offering an economical pathway for the first two years of study before transferring to bachelor's degree programs through the (Montana Common Course Numbering) system. Students should explore school-specific financial aid websites and contact admissions offices directly to learn about database management-specific scholarships or employer partnerships that may offset costs further. For comprehensive guidance on all federal and state aid options, consult the (College Scorecard) resource.
Database Management Degree ROI Calculator, Montana
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a database management degree in Montana. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.
Database Management Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a database management degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+907%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,677,254
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$133,333
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
Detailed Breakdown
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Database Management Salaries by Metro Area
Median annual salary in Montana metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Bozeman | $99K |
| Missoula | $94K |
| Billings | $90K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Database Management Graduates in Montana
Find database management jobs in Montana. These major employers across Montana metro areas are actively hiring database management degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Database Management Jobs in Bozeman
MTDatabase Management Jobs in Missoula
MTDatabase Management Jobs in Billings
MTTransfer Pathways for Database Management Degrees in Montana
State Transfer System
Montana's transfer system streamlines pathways for students pursuing Database Management degrees across different institution types. The state's 10 two-year institutions and 14 four-year universities are connected through the Montana Common Course Numbering system, which standardizes course numbering and ensures credits transfer seamlessly between community colleges and universities. This system eliminates confusion about course equivalencies and allows students to begin their studies at 3 associate degree programs and smoothly transition to 2 bachelor's degree programs without losing credits or duplicating coursework. Great Falls College Montana State University and Flathead Valley Community College, both offering associate programs with 7 total completions statewide (IPEDS), serve as effective entry points for students seeking affordable pathways to bachelor's degrees. The University of Montana and Montana State University actively accept transfer students, with clear articulation agreements specifying which community college courses count toward their bachelor's degree requirements.
How Transfers Work
Transfer students benefit from the Montana University System Honor Scholarship, which provides merit-based tuition waivers for qualifying students, reducing financial barriers to completing four-year degrees. Most community colleges in Montana maintain dedicated transfer advisors who guide students through degree planning and ensure their associate coursework aligns with upper-division bachelor's requirements. Students can explore Database Administration in Montana or Information Systems in Montana as complementary transfer options. For students seeking flexible completion paths, National online Database Management programs offer additional flexibility. The Montana University System website provides comprehensive transfer guides and program mapping tools. Students should initiate contact with admissions offices at target four-year institutions early in their community college studies to optimize their transfer planning and ensure smooth enrollment transitions.
Why Pursue a Database Management Degree in Montana?
Industry & Workforce
Montana offers a growing landscape for database management education, with 5 institutions currently offering programs across associate and bachelor degree levels (IPEDS). The state's 14 four-year institutions and 10 two-year institutions provide flexible pathways for students seeking careers in data management. Top institutions like Montana State University and The University of Montana lead the state in completions and program quality, establishing Montana as a viable destination for specialized IT education. For prospective students, Montana's affordable public university tuition, averaging $4,747 for in-state tuition at four-year institutions, makes database management education accessible compared to national averages (IPEDS).
Salary Outlook
Montana's major metros. Billings, Missoula, and Great Falls, host significant employers in healthcare and higher education sectors, including Billings Clinic, Providence Health, and Montana State University, creating local demand for database professionals. Students can explore specialized pathways through related programs like Database Administration in Montana, Data Analytics in Montana, and Information Systems in Montana. The state's commitment to accessible higher education is reinforced through the Montana University System Honor Scholarship, which offers merit-based tuition waivers for Montana high school graduates. For career context, explore National best Database Management programs to benchmark Montana offerings against top institutions nationwide.
Database Management Program Availability in Montana
Source: IPEDS 2024
Database Management Job Market & Salary Data in Montana
Employment Outlook
Montana's database management job market reflects steady demand across the state's major metropolitan areas. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities are concentrated in Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman, Helena, Butte, and Kalispell. The state's healthcare, education, and government sectors drive significant demand for database professionals who can manage complex data systems and ensure organizational efficiency. Key employers in these regions actively recruit database management professionals to support their growing technology infrastructure needs.
Salaries by Metro
Educational pathways in Montana support workforce development through 5 institutions offering database management programs across associate's and bachelor's levels (IPEDS). The Montana University System provides accessible education with average public in-state tuition at $4,747 for four-year institutions, making credentials affordable for aspiring database professionals. Students can leverage the Montana Common Course Numbering system to transfer credits seamlessly between institutions, and graduates may qualify for the Montana University System Honor Scholarship to further reduce costs. For comparative insights into national opportunities, explore national database management best practices and most affordable national programs.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Database Management Programs in Montana
Online Programs
1 available in Montana
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Database Management Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 10
- Median Tuition
- $7,300
- Total Programs
- 35
- Median Tuition
- $12,200
- Total Programs
- 16
- Median Tuition
- $7,600
- Total Programs
- 76
- Median Tuition
- $7,500
- Total Programs
- 75
- Median Tuition
- $7,100
Database Management Degree Programs in Montana: FAQ
What are the best database management degree programs in Montana?
How much do database management degree programs cost in Montana?
What salary can database management degree graduates earn in Montana?
Are there online database management degree programs in Montana?
What companies hire database management degree graduates in Montana?
Is a database management degree program worth it in Montana?
How long do database management degree programs take in Montana?
What financial aid is available for database management degree students in Montana?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
Montana salary and employment data
Program details and admissions information
Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.