UnisHub University Compass

Chief Dull Knife College (CDKC) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

0 · 0 reviews
Official Website Net Price Calculator
Table of Contents

About Chief Dull Knife College

Set in the homelands of the Northern Cheyenne Nation, Chief Dull Knife College is known for student-centered teaching that blends academic fundamentals with place-based learning. Faculty focus on clear writing, critical thinking, and practical skills across the arts, sciences, technology, and workforce fields. The campus offers a welcoming library, quiet study rooms, computer labs, and hands-on spaces, plus tutoring, advising, career coaching, and wellness support. Many events spotlight Cheyenne language, history, and artistry, so learning feels rooted and relevant.

Student life leans community-first. Clubs, service projects, and cultural gatherings make it easy to plug in, and the surrounding pine hills and wide-open sky invite hiking, photography, and plenty of fresh air. The atmosphere is close-knit and respectful, with a family-friendly vibe where staff know your name. Career preparation draws on ties with tribal programs, regional schools, healthcare, and land stewardship offices, and the college has a reputation for helping students build transfer-ready plans. Lame Deer adds strong community networks, local traditions, and opportunities to learn by doing. It's steady, grounded, and welcoming, with a sense of purpose you can feel.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location: 1 College Drive, Lame Deer, Montana, 59043, USA
Phone: +1 (406) 477-6215 ext. 100
Website: cdkc.edu
Unit ID: 180160

Academic & Institutional

Control: Public institution (funded by state or local government)
Accreditation: NWCCU
Length of Study: Programs of 2 to less than 4 years (e.g. associate degree)
Calendar System: Semester system (two main terms per year)
Award Levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Not classified (4-Year)
Campus Setting: Located in a remote rural area (25+ miles from urban area)
Tuition: In-state: $2,260 (Tuition $1,960 + Fee $300) · Out-of-state: $2,260 (Tuition $1,960 + Fee $300)
Student Profile:
Total Students: 242
Undergraduate: 226
Graduate/Other: 16
Male: 65 Female: 177
Applications:
Total Applicants: Not available
Admitted: Not available
Enrolled: Not available
Staff:
Total: 41 Full-time: 38 Part-time: 3

Degree Programs & Career Salary Prospects

Explore degree programs offered at Chief Dull Knife College (CDKC) with detailed career prospects, starting salary ranges, and job opportunities in Montana. See what you can do with your degree and expected earnings after graduation.

How to use this guide:
Click on any academic field that interests you to expand and view available degree programs. Each program shows potential career paths, median salaries in Montana vs national averages, and job prospects for graduates. Perfect for answering "What can I do with my degree?" and salary expectations.
Education (2)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
13.0101 Education, General. (Cert<2y)
A program that focuses on the general theory and practice of learning and teaching, the basic principles of educational psychology, the art of teaching, the planning and administration of educational activities, school safety and health issues, and the social foundations of education.

Graduate Career Earnings in Montana

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Montana Avg MT vs US
25-1081 Education Teachers, Postsecondary $78,500 $76,200 -$2,300 (-2.9%)
25-9042 Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education N/A N/A N/A
25-9043 Teaching Assistants, Special Education N/A N/A N/A
13.1210 Early Childhood Education and Teaching. (Cert<2y)
A program that prepares individuals to teach students ranging in age from infancy through eight years (grade three), depending on the school system or state regulations. Includes preparation to teach all relevant subject matter.

Graduate Career Earnings in Montana

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Montana Avg MT vs US
25-1081 Education Teachers, Postsecondary $78,500 $76,200 -$2,300 (-2.9%)
25-2011 Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education $41,450 $37,320 -$4,130 (-10%)
25-2012 Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education $67,020 $55,660 -$11,360 (-17%)
25-2021 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education $69,790 $55,690 -$14,100 (-20.2%)
25-9042 Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education N/A N/A N/A
25-9043 Teaching Assistants, Special Education N/A N/A N/A
Liberal Arts (1)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
24.0102 General Studies. (Cert<2y)
An undifferentiated program that includes instruction in the general arts, general science, or unstructured studies.

Graduate Career Earnings in Montana

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Montana Avg MT vs US
25-1199 Postsecondary Teachers, All Other $94,470 $92,720 -$1,750 (-1.9%)
Public Services (1)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
44.0701 Social Work. (Cert<2y)
A program that prepares individuals for the professional practice of social welfare administration and counseling, and that focus on the study of organized means of providing basic support services for vulnerable individuals and groups. Includes instruction in social welfare policy; case work planning; social counseling and intervention strategies; administrative procedures and regulations; and specific applications in areas such as child welfare and family services, probation, employment services, and disability counseling.

Graduate Career Earnings in Montana

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Montana Avg MT vs US
11-9151 Social and Community Service Managers $86,100 $70,420 -$15,680 (-18.2%)
21-1013 Marriage and Family Therapists $72,720 $43,300 -$29,420 (-40.5%)
21-1019 Counselors, All Other $58,070 $51,010 -$7,060 (-12.2%)
21-1021 Child, Family, and School Social Workers $62,920 $53,860 -$9,060 (-14.4%)
21-1022 Healthcare Social Workers $72,030 $57,260 -$14,770 (-20.5%)
21-1023 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers $68,290 $49,250 -$19,040 (-27.9%)
21-1029 Social Workers, All Other $74,680 $53,200 -$21,480 (-28.8%)
21-1092 Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists $71,530 $54,620 -$16,910 (-23.6%)
25-1113 Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary $81,880 $54,580 -$27,300 (-33.3%)
Health (1)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
51.1501 Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling. (Cert<2y)
A program that prepares individuals to help prevent substance abuse, counsel individuals and families with drug and alcohol problems, and perform intervention and therapeutic services for persons suffering from addiction. Includes instruction in individual and group counseling skills, psychology of addiction, sociology, crisis intervention, substance abuse identification methodologies, substance abuse treatment modalities, substance abuse prevention and treatment resources, pharmacology and behavioral aspects of abused substances, treatment evaluation, patient observation and education, group dynamics, professional standards and ethics, and applicable law and regulations.

Graduate Career Earnings in Montana

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Montana Avg MT vs US
21-1011 Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors N/A N/A N/A
21-1014 Mental Health Counselors N/A N/A N/A
25-1071 Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary $137,900 $114,060 -$23,840 (-17.3%)
Psychology (1)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
42.0101 Psychology, General. (Cert<2y)
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of individual and collective behavior, the physical and environmental bases of behavior, and the analysis and treatment of behavior problems and disorders. Includes instruction in the principles of the various subfields of psychology, research methods, and psychological assessment and testing methods.

Graduate Career Earnings in Montana

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Montana Avg MT vs US
11-9199 Managers, All Other $149,890 $97,010 -$52,880 (-35.3%)
19-3032 Industrial-Organizational Psychologists $134,400 N/A N/A
19-3033 Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $106,850 N/A N/A
19-3039 Psychologists, All Other $111,340 N/A N/A
19-4061 Social Science Research Assistants $63,560 $47,550 -$16,010 (-25.2%)
25-1066 Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary $93,530 $85,550 -$7,980 (-8.5%)
Business (3)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
52.0201 Business Administration and Management, General. (Cert<2y)
A program that generally prepares individuals to plan, organize, direct, and control the functions and processes of a firm or organization. Includes instruction in management theory, human resources management and behavior, accounting and other quantitative methods, purchasing and logistics, organization and production, marketing, and business decision-making.

Graduate Career Earnings in Montana

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Montana Avg MT vs US
11-1011 Chief Executives $262,930 $179,030 -$83,900 (-31.9%)
11-1021 General and Operations Managers $133,120 $102,370 -$30,750 (-23.1%)
11-2022 Sales Managers $160,930 $150,210 -$10,720 (-6.7%)
11-3012 Administrative Services Managers $126,030 $103,030 -$23,000 (-18.2%)
11-3013 Facilities Managers $114,520 $94,050 -$20,470 (-17.9%)
11-3051 Industrial Production Managers $129,180 $112,250 -$16,930 (-13.1%)
11-3071 Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers $116,010 $85,360 -$30,650 (-26.4%)
11-3111 Compensation and Benefits Managers $156,230 N/A N/A
11-3121 Human Resources Managers $160,480 $117,470 -$43,010 (-26.8%)
11-3131 Training and Development Managers $140,590 $109,860 -$30,730 (-21.9%)
11-9021 Construction Managers $119,660 $146,440 +$26,780 (+22.4%)
11-9072 Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling $87,060 $78,070 -$8,990 (-10.3%)
11-9151 Social and Community Service Managers $86,100 $70,420 -$15,680 (-18.2%)
11-9179 Personal Service Managers, All Other $70,620 N/A N/A
11-9199 Managers, All Other $149,890 $97,010 -$52,880 (-35.3%)
13-1051 Cost Estimators $83,160 $72,290 -$10,870 (-13.1%)
13-1071 Human Resources Specialists $79,730 $60,890 -$18,840 (-23.6%)
13-1081 Logisticians $87,600 $71,040 -$16,560 (-18.9%)
13-1082 Project Management Specialists $108,100 $82,230 -$25,870 (-23.9%)
13-1111 Management Analysts $114,710 $89,940 -$24,770 (-21.6%)
13-1141 Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists $82,920 $67,990 -$14,930 (-18%)
13-1199 Business Operations Specialists, All Other $92,380 $72,690 -$19,690 (-21.3%)
25-1011 Business Teachers, Postsecondary $113,840 $111,350 -$2,490 (-2.2%)
52.0204 Office Management and Supervision. (Cert<2y)
A program that prepares individuals to supervise and manage the operations and personnel of business offices and management-level divisions. Includes instruction in employee supervision, management, and labor relations; budgeting; scheduling and coordination; office systems operation and maintenance; office records management, organization, and security; office facilities design and space management; preparation and evaluation of business management data; and public relations.

Graduate Career Earnings in Montana

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Montana Avg MT vs US
11-3012 Administrative Services Managers $126,030 $103,030 -$23,000 (-18.2%)
43-1011 First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers $71,560 $66,670 -$4,890 (-6.8%)
52.0401 Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science, General. (Cert<1y)
A program that generally prepares individuals to perform the duties of administrative assistants and/or secretaries and stenographers. Includes instruction in business communications, principles of business law, word processing and data entry, office machines operation and maintenance, office procedures, public relations, secretarial accounting, filing systems and records management, and report preparation.

Graduate Career Earnings in Montana

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Montana Avg MT vs US
43-1011 First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers $71,560 $66,670 -$4,890 (-6.8%)
43-4161 Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping $50,950 $51,230 +$280 (+0.5%)
43-6011 Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants $77,060 $56,290 -$20,770 (-27%)
43-6014 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive $47,640 $41,050 -$6,590 (-13.8%)

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$3,260
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$3,260
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$2,260
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$2,260
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$5,400 (off-campus)
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$1,000
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$4,000 (off-campus)
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$4,000
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
N/A
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
N/A
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

5%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$3,437
Avg. Loan
N/A
Avg. Federal Loan
N/A
Additional
Students with Any Grant
9
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
0
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
9
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$1,000
Average amount of institutional grant awarded
Show more financial aid data

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

N/A
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
N/A
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$5,388 – $42,721
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$5,388 (25th %) $42,721 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $20,073
Median Salary After 6 Years
$18,636
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$20,073
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
N/A
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
N/A
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
N/A
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Repayment by Dependency

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Chief Dull Knife College (CDKC)

How much does it cost to attend Chief Dull Knife College (CDKC)?

The annual tuition at Chief Dull Knife College (CDKC) is $2,260 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $3,260 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $5,400 (off-campus) and books and supplies $1,000.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does Chief Dull Knife College offer?

Chief Dull Knife College (CDKC) offers 11 academic programs across 6 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's.

Most popular program areas include:

  • Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (3 programs)
  • Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (2 programs)
  • Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (1 programs)
  • Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (1 programs)
  • Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services (1 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at Chief Dull Knife College?

Chief Dull Knife College (CDKC) provides financial aid to 5% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $3,437 and average loans of $0.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $3,215
  • Institutional grants: $1,000

The university supports 9 students with grants and 0 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for Chief Dull Knife College graduates?

Chief Dull Knife College (CDKC) graduates earn a median salary of $18,636 after 6 years and $20,073 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $5,388 (25th percentile) to $42,721 (75th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

Related Universities

Campus map for Montana State University Billings
Montana State University Billings
1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59101-0298
View Profile
Campus map for Flathead Valley Community College
Flathead Valley Community College
777 Grandview Dr, Kalispell, MT 59901
View Profile
Campus map for Aaniiih Nakoda College
Aaniiih Nakoda College
269 Blackfeet Avenue, Harlem, MT 59526
View Profile