Salish Kootenai College
Salish Kootenai College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Salish Kootenai College at a Glance
Salish Kootenai College (SKC) is a private tribal land-grant community college in Pablo, Montana. It serves the Bitterroot Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d'Oreilles tribes. SKC's main campus is on the Flathead Reservation. There are three satellite locations in eastern Washington state, in Colville, Spokane, and Wellpinit. Approximately 1,207 students attend SKC. Although enrollment is not limited to Native American students, SKC's primary function is to serve the needs of Native American people.
1977
49 years old
850
Identity
Is Salish Kootenai College Worth It?
At a value score of 33/100, Salish Kootenai College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $32,725 — 39% below average — while paying $7,945/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 32% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Salish Kootenai College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Salish Kootenai College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #11 of 14 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | North Florida College | 100 | $804 | $33,929 |
| #2 | Alpena Community College | 100 | $3,320 | $36,442 |
| #3 | American Samoa Community College | 89 | $3,386 | $30,087 |
| #4 | Bay Mills Community College | 74 | $3,073 | $30,048 |
| #5 | Northwest Indian College | 62 | $3,136 | $35,447 |
| #6 | Northwest College | 57 | $7,463 | $36,950 |
| #11 | Salish Kootenai College | 33 | $7,945 | $32,725 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Salish Kootenai College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Salish Kootenai College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Salish Kootenai College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $7,945/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in MT
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Pablo, MT
- Student Body
- 580 students
- Graduation Rate
- 32%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $7,945
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $32,725
- Median Student Debt
- $12,923