Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 57.1%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 57.3%
- Retention Rate
- 77.9%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $53,263
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $22,500
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 69.4%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $239/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $78,343 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $72,325 | $21,750 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $65,387 | $21,747 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $65,332 | $27,000 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | Bachelor | $63,997 | $25,185 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $61,090 | $24,980 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $59,411 | $22,802 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $57,860 | $16,345 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $57,318 | $28,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $57,318 | $18,366 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $56,234 | $20,913 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $53,671 | |
| Education, General. | Certificate | $53,629 | |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | Master | $52,107 | |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy. | Master | $48,432 |
Outcomes Overview
Montana State graduates earn a median of $53,263 within 10 years, translating to monthly loan payments of $239 on typical debt of $22,500. This represents a manageable debt-to-income ratio of 42%, well below the concerning 60% threshold. The monthly payment consumes just 5.4% of median earnings. The university's strong engineering and agriculture programs funnel graduates into stable careers in construction, energy, and agricultural technology sectors that value MSU's hands-on training. With a 96.6% employment rate and 69.43% loan repayment rate, graduates generally find steady work in Montana's growing tech and energy industries. For a regional public university, Montana State delivers a strong return on investment.