The University of Montana ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$32,608
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$729/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
44.7 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-55%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of Montana, Missoula, has an in-state tuition of $8,152. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $35,104. Five years after graduation, the median salary is $35,729, and after ten years, it increases to $44,511. The median debt for graduates is $22,400, and 41.9% of students receive financial aid.
Based on the provided data, the debt-to-income ratio for a graduate one year after graduation is approximately 64%. This is calculated by dividing the median debt of $22,400 by the one-year median salary of $35,104. The break-even timeline, which is the time it takes for the additional earnings from a degree to offset the cost of tuition, cannot be accurately determined with the provided data.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$8,152
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,400
Median Earnings (5yr)
$35,729
Graduation Rate
46%
Receive Financial Aid
42%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $33,519 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $76,330 | 2435% |
| Psychology, General | $37,141 | 31% |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $0 | N/A |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $0 | N/A |
| Anthropology | $32,281 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services | $76,203 | 2427% |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | $127,040 | 5545% |
| Law | $66,479 | 1831% |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $34,957 | N/A |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $84,533 | 2938% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $48,747 | 743% |
Peer Comparison
-55%
20yr ROI
-59%
20yr ROI
-51%
20yr ROI
-33%
20yr ROI
-71%
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.