Degree Dividend
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Salish Kootenai College vs Fort Peck Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Pablo MT · vs · Public, Poplar MT

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Salish Kootenai College comes closer — median earnings $32,725 against a $15,890 total, vs $14,747 at Fort Peck Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSalish Kootenai CollegeFort Peck Community College
Net price / yr$7,945$400
Total net cost$15,890$800
Median earnings, 10 yrs$32,725$14,747
Median debt$12,923
Payback
20-year net return-$328,590-$673,060

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Salish Kootenai College or Fort Peck Community College?

Fort Peck Community College, at $400 a year after aid versus $7,945 — a gap of $7,545 a year, or $15,090 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Salish Kootenai College or Fort Peck Community College graduates earn more?

Salish Kootenai College graduates report a median $32,725 ten years after entry, $17,978 more than the $14,747 at Fort Peck Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which graduates more of its students?

28% of students finish at Salish Kootenai College, against 17% at Fort Peck Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Salish Kootenai College vs Fort Peck Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Salish Kootenai College or Fort Peck Community College a better value?
Salish Kootenai College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Salish Kootenai College or Fort Peck Community College?
Fort Peck Community College: $400/yr net price after aid versus $7,945/yr at Salish Kootenai College — a difference of $7,545 a year, or about $15,090 over four years.
Do Salish Kootenai College or Fort Peck Community College graduates earn more?
Salish Kootenai College graduates earn a median $32,725 ten years after entry, versus $14,747 at Fort Peck Community College — a $17,978 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.