Montana State University ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$32,332
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$9,757/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
3.3 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
504%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, Montana State University, Bozeman graduates earn a median salary of $44,828. The median debt for graduates is $22,500. The debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.5, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings.
Five years after graduation, the median salary is $44,757. Ten years after graduation, the median salary increases to $53,263. The in-state tuition cost is $8,083.
The break-even point, the time it takes for the additional earnings to cover the tuition cost, is less than one year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$8,083
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$44,757
Graduation Rate
57%
Receive Financial Aid
32%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing | $0 | N/A |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $65,635 | 1795% |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $40,689 | 252% |
| Mechanical Engineering | $80,590 | 2720% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $64,708 | 1738% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $37,780 | 72% |
| Psychology, General | $38,907 | 142% |
| Chemical Engineering | $59,761 | 1432% |
| Biology, General | $39,079 | 152% |
| Civil Engineering | $65,618 | 1794% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,365 | 232% |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
504%
20yr ROI
300%
20yr ROI
432%
20yr ROI
501%
20yr ROI
300%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.