Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 45.9%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 45.4%
- Retention Rate
- 76.0%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $44,511
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $22,400
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 58.0%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $237/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $113,016 | $50,640 |
| Psychology, General. | Doctoral | $76,460 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $67,660 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $62,707 | $95,599 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $58,673 | $23,411 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $57,318 | $31,111 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $55,286 | $21,500 |
| Law. | Doctoral | $52,433 | $72,126 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $52,107 | |
| Public Administration. | Master | $47,260 | $30,638 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $45,852 | $59,241 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $42,682 | $18,167 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $40,934 | $20,359 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $39,729 | $23,181 |
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies. | Associate | $39,153 |
Outcomes Overview
Montana graduates face a median debt of $22,400 against starting salaries of $35,104, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 64%. Monthly loan payments of $237 consume about 8% of typical graduate income. The 58% loan repayment rate falls below national averages, reflecting challenges in Montana's limited job market. Many graduates enter education, natural resources, and media careers where salaries often lag behind coastal markets. Median earnings climb to $44,511 after ten years, but the growth trajectory remains modest. The journalism and forestry programs feed into competitive but traditionally lower-paying fields. Given the reasonable debt load but limited earning potential in Montana's economy, this represents an average return on investment.