Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Montana State University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 42% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 61st percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (MT wage index 0.84). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Montana State University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $66,918 | $111,728 | +4% | #106 of 349 | #64 | $21,750 |
| Computer Engineering | $67,015 | $99,411 | -9% | #124 of 189 | #90 | $27,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $77,060 | $98,331 | -2% | #135 of 258 | #56 | $21,747 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $77,139 | $89,002 | -5% | #29 of 43 | #16 | $25,185 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $68,469 | $88,653 | -4% | #222 of 318 | #100 | $24,980 |
| Industrial Engineering | $64,082 | $88,087 | -11% | #82 of 94 | #64 | $26,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $62,206 | $87,590 | -11% | #135 of 158 | #92 | $25,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $67,373 | $82,785 | -4% | #149 of 233 | #62 | $20,913 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $62,605 | $80,089 | -2% | #40 of 61 | #20 | $28,000 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $50,876 | $79,621 | +19% | #7 of 77 | #4 | $19,125 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $71,915 | $76,146 | -14% | #858 of 966 | #706 | $22,802 |
| Business/Commerce | $48,164 | $71,578 | +5% | #66 of 271 | #36 | $20,735 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $32,538 | $66,498 | +-0% | #21 of 35 | #6 | $23,250 |
| Mathematics | $34,475 | $65,731 | -6% | #202 of 309 | #144 | $24,000 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | — | $64,133 | -8% | #16 of 22 | #9 | $25,061 |
| Economics | $47,098 | $62,511 | -24% | #342 of 368 | #278 | $25,500 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $37,181 | $60,221 | -4% | #38 of 49 | #28 | $20,399 |
| Environmental Design | — | $57,668 | +0% | #6 of 12 | #4 | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $33,415 | $55,352 | +11% | #28 of 90 | #14 | $27,000 |
| Psychology | $28,928 | $53,623 | +6% | #318 of 1027 | #111 | $21,477 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences | $31,910 | $52,702 | +9% | #8 of 49 | #3 | $23,646 |
| History | $29,692 | $52,187 | +3% | #204 of 459 | #84 | $19,375 |
| Political Science and Government | $35,476 | $51,285 | -19% | #498 of 565 | #411 | $18,050 |
| Biology | $29,435 | $50,711 | -11% | #663 of 841 | #529 | $24,000 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $29,030 | $49,241 | -18% | #128 of 138 | #111 | $20,064 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $36,745 | $48,646 | -12% | #214 of 265 | #149 | $27,752 |
| Sociology | $36,595 | $48,273 | -8% | #333 of 462 | #221 | $21,987 |
| English Language and Literature | $33,483 | $47,757 | -2% | #322 of 576 | #158 | $20,775 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $32,265 | $46,741 | +13% | #90 of 423 | #42 | $25,125 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $38,576 | $46,657 | -9% | #281 of 345 | #221 | $22,875 |
| Animal Sciences | $30,220 | $46,313 | -7% | #58 of 78 | #35 | $23,149 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $30,380 | $45,975 | -13% | #368 of 476 | #316 | $23,785 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $37,501 | $45,523 | -4% | #469 of 680 | #342 | $24,250 |
| Plant Sciences | $33,311 | $45,392 | -20% | #41 of 44 | #37 | $20,500 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $29,608 | $45,300 | +4% | #72 of 144 | #33 | $22,125 |
| Sustainability Studies | $22,296 | $41,979 | -27% | #17 of 17 | #16 | — |
| Music | $38,807 | $39,920 | -7% | #187 of 268 | #139 | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
🏆 Where Montana State University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $6,056 | $29,047 |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $26,671 | $49,925 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,713 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,165 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,572 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,456 |
| $110,001+ | $23,771 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Montana State University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Montana State University?
How much does it cost to attend Montana State University?
What is the graduation rate at Montana State University?
Is Montana State University a good school?
- Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (C): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Montana State University?
Is there rental demand near Montana State University?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Montana State University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to Montana State University
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology