Montana State University Billings ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$26,824
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$4,531/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
5.9 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
238%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The annual tuition cost at Montana State University Billings is $6,706. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $43,777. Five years after graduation, earnings decrease to $39,531, but increase to $44,296 ten years after graduation. The median debt for graduates is $18,209.
The debt-to-income ratio can be calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings. This results in a debt-to-income ratio of approximately 0.42.
To calculate the break-even timeline, the median debt can be divided by the difference between the one-year earnings and the tuition cost. This results in a break-even timeline of approximately 0.5 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$6,706
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,209
Median Earnings (5yr)
$39,531
Graduation Rate
28%
Receive Financial Aid
30%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General | $51,370 | 1121% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $52,082 | 1174% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $60,916 | 1832% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $0 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,835 | 335% |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $0 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $40,358 | 299% |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $0 | N/A |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $0 | N/A |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $0 | N/A |
| Curriculum and Instruction | $0 | N/A |
| Special Education and Teaching | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
238%
20yr ROI
155%
20yr ROI
153%
20yr ROI
155%
20yr ROI
422%
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.