Bozeman, MT · Private University
Is Montana State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$53,263
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,083
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$31,337
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$125,348
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.70x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
57.4%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$22,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$20,593
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Montana State University graduates earn $8,263 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Montana State University ranked by graduate earnings
105 graduates
45 graduates
157 graduates
46 graduates
42 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Montana State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Montana State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $116,065) and the lowest (Sustainability Studies: $22,296) is $93,769/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $116,065 | 3.7x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $81,541 | 2.6x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $80,590 | 2.6x |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $78,910 | 2.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $69,865 | 2.2x |
| Computer Engineering(1yr data) | $67,015 | 2.1x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $65,635 | 2.1x |
| Civil Engineering | $65,618 | 2.1x |
| Industrial Engineering(1yr data) | $64,082 | 2.0x |
| Chemical Engineering | $59,761 | 1.9x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $55,302 | 1.8x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $54,731 | 1.8x |
| Economics | $52,440 | 1.7x |
| Mathematics | $52,167 | 1.7x |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $50,739 | 1.6x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $48,285 | 1.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $47,816 | 1.5x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $43,716 | 1.4x |
| Sociology | $42,991 | 1.4x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $42,773 | 1.4x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $41,121 | 1.3x |
| Plant Sciences | $40,825 | 1.3x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $40,689 | 1.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,365 | 1.3x |
| History | $39,764 | 1.3x |
| Biology, General | $39,079 | 1.3x |
| Psychology, General | $38,907 | 1.2x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $37,415 | 1.2x |
| Music | $37,240 | 1.2x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $36,283 | 1.2x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $34,839 | 1.1x |
| Animal Sciences | $34,053 | 1.1x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $33,470 | 1.1x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services(1yr data) | $33,415 | 1.1x |
| Sustainability StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $22,296 | 0.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Montana State University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $53,263 10 years after starting, $8,263 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.9 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.