Top Ranked Programs
Montana State University-Northern anchors its program portfolio in applied business and workforce-aligned fields. Business Administration is the largest program with 34 graduates annually, followed by Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians, Nursing, Teacher Education, and Criminal Justice. The institution's program mix reflects a regional comprehensive mission: Business accounts for 25% of degrees, Education represents 16%, and Arts comprises 3%. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in applied fields aligned with regional labor demand. Criminal Justice graduates earn median earnings of $61,748 four years after enrollment, with 12 graduates annually. Criminal Justice graduates earn median earnings of $61,748 four years after enrollment, reflecting solid outcomes in a field that anchors the institution's largest cohorts. These programs represent the direct-to-workforce pathway where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market entry and early-career wage progression. Montana State University-Northern serves a rural Montana region where program mix emphasizes practical credentials and employer-aligned training. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market conditions. As a comprehensive regional institution, Montana State University-Northern prioritizes workforce readiness and local employer partnerships over research-intensive or graduate-dependent pathways.