Credit: Jonathan Dakin / EyeEm / Getty Images
Known for its striking landscapes and diverse wildlife, Montana earned its "Treasure State" nickname for its rich gold and silver deposits. Today, Montana has a strong economy built on primary sector activities, including energy production, forestry, mining, and agriculture.
In 2021, Montana's economy grew by a reported 6.7%, which was the seventh-highest growth rate of any state that year. The University of Montana's Bureau of Business and Economic Research also reported that Montana's tech industry was expanding seven times faster than the state's general economy in 2021.
In Montana, cybersecurity programs are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This resource presents a data-driven snapshot of the Treasure State for aspiring cybersecurity professionals. Use our guide to discover learning and career opportunities.
Montana at a Glance
|
Average Wage for Computer and Mathematical Occupations |
|
|
% of Workforce in Tech |
|
|
Economic Impact of Tech Industry |
|
|
Number of Higher Learning Institutions |
Sources: Cyberstates™, NCES, OEWS
Why Go to College for Cybersecurity in Montana?
Montana cybersecurity programs tend to offer cost advantages to learners who pursue programs at accredited degree-granting institutions. The state's average tuition costs rank below or well below nationwide trends in most metrics tracked by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Learners seeking campus-based programs may enjoy Montana's offerings. The state has the highest enrollment rate in partially or exclusively on-campus programs of any state. Studying on campus makes networking easier due to face-to-face interactions with peers and instructors.
Some Montana cybersecurity majors take advantage of practical learning opportunities like internships and work-study placements. These programs can offer employment leads, as well, which benefits learners pursuing employment in Montana's fast-growing tech industry.
Montana also has a major energy production industry, ranking seventh in the United States for hydroelectric power generation in 2021. Experts stress the critical importance of cybersecurity in the energy industry while also noting persistent vulnerability gaps.
These dynamics signal strong employment potential for cybersecurity in Montana and make the state an intriguing place to study.
Education Statistics for Montana
Montana's higher education network serves a population of approximately 1.1 million, giving the state a relatively high number of colleges per capita. Students at Montana institutions engage with campus-based learning at higher-than-average rates.
| Higher Education Statistics | Montana Data | National Data |
|---|---|---|
|
Four-Year Colleges |
2,520 |
|
|
Two-Year Colleges |
1,303 |
|
|
Students Enrolled in Distance Education |
72.8% |
Sources: NCES
Accreditation for Montana Schools
Students should only consider Montana cybersecurity programs at accredited institutions. Institutional accreditation signifies that a school has passed rigorous third-party evaluations of its academic standards.
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) has traditionally served as the main accreditor of Montana institutions. However, other reputable accrediting agencies can also endorse Montana institutions as the result of changes made in 2020. These agencies may include:
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Some technology programs hold a specialized endorsement known as programmatic accreditation. ABET, formerly the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, ranks among the best-known specialized accreditors of STEM-related degree programs.
Considerations for a Cybersecurity Degree in Montana
Learners considering Montana cybersecurity majors have many factors to consider. Beyond issues such as program content and student body diversity, many learners prioritize specific delivery formats.
The three main learning formats include 100% campus-based, 100% online, and hybrid models that blend campus and online learning.
Each type offers advantages and drawbacks. Campus-based programs make a good match for students seeking a college experience with face-to-face peer and faculty interactions. The scheduling flexibility of online learning tends to appeal to degree-seekers with other commitments. Hybrid programs balance the advantages of campus-based and online models. However, their on-campus components may require you to travel or relocate to Montana.
The following table summarizes general trends regarding distance education in Montana:
Explore rankings for top cybersecurity programs around the country
Cybersecurity Concentrations and Similar Degrees
Montana cybersecurity degrees appeal to learners seeking to launch tech careers, but cybersecurity is only one of many specialization options. The following table explores popular alternatives:
|
Software Development |
Software developers design, create, and test applications for mobile and desktop computer systems, including security applications. CompTIA's 2022 Cyberstates report ranked software as the leading employment sector in Montana's technology industry. |
|
Network Engineering |
Network engineers apply advanced information technology skills to design and develop customized computer networks for clients and employers. Custom IT services led all Montana tech industry sectors in year-over-year growth in 2022. |
|
Information Security |
Information security ("infosec") overlaps with cybersecurity but maintains a broader focus. Cybersecurity strives to ward off attacks and unauthorized access to sensitive data. Infosec considers internal vulnerabilities like access loopholes, along with online and offline data. |
Paying for Your Cybersecurity Degree
Despite Montana's relatively affordable tuition rates, students often need help meeting their educational expenses.
Begin by researching scholarships. Notably, the state maintains a Youth Serve Montana Scholarship program through its Governor's Office of Community Service. Next, look for other non-repayable aid sources such as fellowships and grants. These opportunities are often merit-based and very competitive.
Federal and private loans round out your other options. However, these create long-term debt. Consider them only if you cannot cover funding with other sources.
For more tips on education financing, consult this resource.
In-State Versus Out-of-State Tuition
Public institutions usually offer lower tuition rates to in-state students. However, out-of-state students can sometimes qualify for in-state rates through tuition exchange programs known as reciprocity agreements.
Montana participates in such a reciprocity agreement through the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE). The WUE extends tuition discounts to eligible students from 16 U.S. states and territories. A similar program known as the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) extends to Montana-based degree-seekers at the master's and doctoral levels.
Montana's Cost of Living
Education finance experts strongly recommend that students factor the local cost of living into their budgets. Montana's cost of living is about average, according to the state's 2022 cost of living index score.
The cost of living index compares local living costs to the national average with a baseline score of 100. In 2022, Montana had an overall index score of 100.7, indicating that its costs align closely with national averages. Its category scores for transportation, utilities, and miscellaneous expenses were lower than average.
Careers for Cybersecurity Graduates in Montana
Montana's technology industry shows compelling signs of strong growth. Its net tech employment in 2022 exceeded 15,000 workers, making up 2.9% of the state's labor force.
These statistics signal further growth potential, as Montana ranked 46th among U.S. states for the percentage of its labor force in tech despite a rapidly growing technology industry. In 2021, Montana Public Radio reported that employers in the state had more job vacancies than qualified individuals to fill them.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in October 2022, Montana's three leading areas of employment are:
- Trade, transportation, and utilities
- Government
- Education and healthcare services
Employers in all three industries have advanced cybersecurity needs, given the high volumes of sensitive data they process.
The following sections profile careers that may appeal to cybersecurity and technology graduates working in Montana.
Select Cybersecurity Careers in Montana
Penetration Tester
Pen testers probe their employers' cybersecurity systems to identify weaknesses and gauge the potential of those weaknesses to harm their employers or clients.
Average Salary for Penetration Testers (November 2022): $88,720
Job Outlook in Montana (2020-30): Projections Central includes penetration testers in its category for computer and information systems managers. This site, which works with the U.S. Department of Labor, projects a 22.2% growth rate for computer and information systems manager employment from 2020-2030.
Vulnerability Assessor
Vulnerability assessors use specialized tools to identify, classify, and evaluate the severity of cybersecurity weaknesses. This junior-level cybersecurity role mainly uses automation processes to search for general vulnerabilities.
Salary for Vulnerability Assessors (November 2022):$84,000
Job Outlook in Montana (2020-30): Projections Central includes vulnerability assessors in its category for computer and information systems managers. It projects a 22.2% growth in employment for computer and information systems managers from 2020-2030.
Security Auditor
Security auditors conduct comprehensive reviews of the cybersecurity and information security standards used by their clients and employers. They also evaluate the results of their assessments to make technical and policy-based recommendations. Note: the following salary figure is based on limited data.
Salary for Security Auditors (November 2022): $84,040
Job Outlook in Montana (2020-30): Projections Central, which penetration testers in its category for computer and information systems managers, estimates a 22.2% employment growth rate for computer and information systems managers from 2020-2030.
The following sections offer further insights into Montana-specific technology careers, employment trends, and salary and growth data:
Montana Employment Trends
| Year | State | National |
|---|---|---|
|
Electrical Engineers (State); Computer Hardware Engineers (National) |
||
|
2020 Employment |
66,200 |
|
|
2030 Projected Employment |
67,300 |
|
|
Projected Job Growth, 2020-2030 |
+1.7% |
|
|
Computer Network Architects |
||
|
2018 Employment |
165,200 |
|
|
2030 Projected Employment |
174,200 |
|
|
Projected Job Growth, 2018-28 |
+5.4% |
|
|
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers |
||
|
2020 Employment |
1,847,900 |
|
|
2030 Projected Employment |
2,257,400 |
|
|
Projected Job Growth, 2020-2030 |
+22% |
|
Source: Projections Central
| Career | Montana Employment | Montana Annual Mean Wage | National Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Computer and Information Systems Managers |
$159,010 |
||
|
Computer Hardware Engineers |
$128,170 |
||
|
Computer Network Architects |
$120,520 |
||
|
Computer Network Support Specialists |
$62,760 |
||
|
Computer Programmers |
$93,000 |
||
|
Computer Systems Analysts |
$99,270 |
||
|
Information Security Analysts |
$102,600 |
||
|
Network and Computer Systems Administrators |
$80,600 |
||
|
Software Developers |
$109,020 |
||
|
Web Developers |
$78,300 |
Source: BLS OEWS
Montana tech security and computer science careers tend to pay salaries lower than national averages. The network and computer systems administrator role represents a noteworthy exception.
To increase your earning potential, consider upgrading to a master's degree. BLS data from 2020 indicates that labor force participants with graduate degrees earn significantly more than those with only bachelor's degrees.
Discover more cybersecurity jobs Consider a cybersecurity career in government Which cybersecurity careers are best for veterans? Transition From IT into cybersecurity
Cybersecurity Employers in Montana
Employers across a full cross-section of industries hire Montana cybersecurity specialists. The following list offers a small sample of the types of companies to target in your job search:
Government of Montana: Government is one of the largest employment sectors in Montana, accounting for about 17.5% of the state's non-farm workforce as of October 2022. State governments continue to address ongoing cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Professionals interested in public sector work can consider roles at the state or local levels. Information Systems of Montana: Helena's Information Systems of Montana is one of the state's largest cybersecurity firms. The company services clients in many industries, offering professionals the opportunity to work on cybersecurity projects. St. Peter's Health: St. Peter's Health is one of the largest health networks in Montana. Healthcare organizations have strong, ongoing needs for cybersecurity professionals to protect their sensitive information, making them a common target of cybercriminals.
Professional Cybersecurity Organizations in Montana
The following organizations offer development resources and other learning and networking opportunities to cybersecurity professionals in Montana:
CyberMontana: CyberMontana matches learners of all ages and skill levels with relevant education and skills development training. Members can also prepare for exams leading to more than 30 professional certifications. Montana Information Security Advisory Council: This state government-backed agency maintains regularly updated links to open cybersecurity jobs with the Montana government. Montana High Tech Business Alliance: With a busy schedule of live events and webinars, the Montana High Tech Business Alliance works to advance the standing of Montana's technology industry. Members can also access a job board.
Gallatin College: Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Great Falls College, Montana State University: Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity Highlands College: Associate of Applied Science in Computer Networks and Cybersecurity Montana State University, Billings: Associate of Science in Cybersecurity/Network Technology Franklin University: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Montana Technological University: Bachelor's Program in Cybersecurity Montana State University: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Questions About Studying Cybersecurity in Montana
-
Can I get a cybersecurity degree in Montana?
Yes. Montana cybersecurity degrees are available at the associate, bachelor's, and master's levels. Learners can study on campus, online, or through hybrid delivery.
-
Are the best cybersecurity schools in Montana expensive?
In general, Montana's higher education network has a favorable cost profile compared to national averages. In the 2020-2021 school year, the average in-state tuition at a four-year Montana college was less than $7,000. The national average was $9,375.
-
What cybersecurity jobs can I get with a degree from Montana?
Graduates of associate and bachelor's cybersecurity programs in Montana qualify for a broad cross-section of entry-level jobs. Examples include security analyst, incident responder, and vulnerability assessor jobs. Advanced degrees and multiple years of experience can open doors to roles with higher pay and more responsibility.
-
Is cybersecurity a good career in Montana?
Montana has a fast-growing technology industry, and employers report more tech vacancies than qualified candidates to fill them. Cybersecurity also plays a significant role in many of Montana's top industries.
Recommended Reading
Take the next step toward your future.
Discover programs you’re interested in and take charge of your education.