Missoula, MT · Private University
Is The University of Montana Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$44,511
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,152
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$31,622
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$126,488
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.41x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
13.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
45.4%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$22,400
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$17,118
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
The University of Montana graduates earn $489 less 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 The University of Montana ranked by graduate earnings
31 graduates
25 graduates
54 graduates
49 graduates
16 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at The University of Montana
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At The University of Montana, the gap between the highest-earning major (Management Information Systems and Services: $84,533) and the lowest (Fine and Studio Arts: $22,661) is $61,872/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Management Information Systems and ServicesBest ROI | $84,533 | 2.7x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $58,825 | 1.9x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $55,000 | 1.7x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $45,670 | 1.4x |
| Forestry | $45,530 | 1.4x |
| Sociology | $42,714 | 1.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $42,524 | 1.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $40,740 | 1.3x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $38,773 | 1.2x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,726 | 1.2x |
| Psychology, General | $37,141 | 1.2x |
| History | $37,073 | 1.2x |
| Journalism | $35,596 | 1.1x |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $34,957 | 1.1x |
| Social Work | $34,260 | 1.1x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences(1yr data) | $32,671 | 1.0x |
| Biology, General | $32,483 | 1.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $32,334 | 1.0x |
| Anthropology | $32,281 | 1.0x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $31,598 | 1.0x |
| Biological and Physical Sciences(1yr data) | $25,950 | 0.8x |
| Fine and Studio ArtsLowest | $22,661 | 0.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
The University of Montana delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $44,511 10 years after starting, $489 below the national median of $45,000. At the current earnings trajectory, it takes approximately 13.3 years to recover the total cost of attendance.
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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.