Montana State University Billings
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
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
5.9 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
238%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The annual in-state tuition at Montana State University Billings is $6706. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $43777. The five-year median earnings are $39531, and the ten-year median earnings are $44296. The median debt for graduates is $18209, and 29.6% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings, is approximately 0.42. This indicates that the median debt is about 42% of the one-year earnings.
Based on the provided data, it would take less than one year for a graduate to earn enough to cover their median debt.
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
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General. | $26,824 | $51,370 | 1121% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $26,824 | $40,835 | 335% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $26,824 | $60,916 | 1832% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $26,824 | $52,082 | 1174% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $26,824 | $0 | N/A |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | $26,824 | $0 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | $26,824 | $40,358 | 299% |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | $26,824 | $0 | N/A |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | $26,824 | $0 | N/A |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | $26,824 | $0 | N/A |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | $26,824 | $0 | N/A |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | $26,824 | $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)
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.