Public Institution
Montana State University
Montana State University's expansive campus sits at the base of the Bridger Mountains in Bozeman. The student body is known for its strong outdoor focus, fostered by the university's proximity to world-class skiing and recreation. Students can access unique resources such as the Museum of the Rockies and a public television station right on campus. With a strong emphasis on research, the university maintains agricultural extension offices across Montana.
Programs
35
Analyzed in dataset
Earnings
$44,365
Average graduate, 1 yr after
Outlook
53/100
Avg DegreeOutlook Score
Tuition
$8,083
In-state sticker price
Out-of-state: $31,337/yr
Financial Aid
The sticker price is rarely what families actually pay. Montana State University's grant and scholarship aid lowers the net price for most income brackets. 17% of students receive Pell Grants; 32% take federal loans.
Net Price by Family Income
Academic Year 2025| Income Bracket | Avg Net Price | 4-Year Net Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $30K | $16,713 | $66,852 |
| $30K – $48K | $17,165 | $68,660 |
| $48K – $75K | $20,572 | $82,288 |
| $75K – $110K | $23,456 | $93,824 |
| $110K+ | $23,771 | $95,084 |
| Sticker price (no aid) | $8,083 | $32,332 |
Net price = tuition + fees + room & board minus grants and scholarships, by reported family-income bracket. Source: IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey via College Scorecard.
Programs at Montana State University
35 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.
| Degree Program | DW Score | 1-yr Earnings | AI Risk | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Compare across schools → |
87
|
$66,918/yr | Very High | 38.0x |
|
Nursing
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Compare across schools → |
85
|
$71,915/yr | High | 21.5x |
|
Electrical Engineering
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering Compare across schools → |
75
|
$77,060/yr | Very High | 27.7x |
| Mechanical Engineering Compare across schools → |
74
|
$68,469/yr | Very High | 27.5x |
|
Business
Business/Commerce, General Compare across schools → |
74
|
$48,164/yr | High | 20.1x |
| Civil Engineering Compare across schools → |
72
|
$67,373/yr | High | 22.6x |
| Construction Engineering Technologies Compare across schools → |
71
|
$77,139/yr | Very High | 26.8x |
| Computer Engineering Compare across schools → |
70
|
$67,015/yr | Very High | 19.7x |
|
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians Compare across schools → |
70
|
$62,605/yr | Moderate | 24.3x |
| Chemical Engineering Compare across schools → |
70
|
$62,206/yr | High | 24.5x |
| Economics Compare across schools → |
68
|
$47,098/yr | Very High | 17.2x |
|
Agricultural Business
Agricultural Business and Management Compare across schools → |
64
|
$50,876/yr | High | 15.5x |
| Industrial Engineering Compare across schools → |
60
|
$64,082/yr | High | 18.8x |
|
Subject-Area Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Compare across schools → |
57
|
$38,576/yr | High | 14.5x |
|
Microbiology & Immunology
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology Compare across schools → |
57
|
$37,181/yr | High | 18.6x |
|
Political Science
Political Science and Government Compare across schools → |
54
|
$35,476/yr | Very High | 16.7x |
| Mathematics Compare across schools → |
52
|
$34,475/yr | Very High | 20.8x |
|
Teacher Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Compare across schools → |
51
|
$37,501/yr | High | 12.7x |
|
Natural Resources & Conservation Research
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Compare across schools → |
48
|
$36,745/yr | High | 17.8x |
|
Cell Biology
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences Compare across schools → |
48
|
$32,538/yr | High | 20.5x |
| Music Compare across schools → |
45
|
$38,807/yr | High | 13.4x |
| Sociology Compare across schools → |
45
|
$36,595/yr | High | 13.4x |
|
Fine Arts
Fine and Studio Arts Compare across schools → |
42
|
$32,265/yr | Moderate | 13.2x |
| History Compare across schools → |
42
|
$29,692/yr | High | 13.2x |
| Plant Sciences Compare across schools → |
40
|
$33,311/yr | High | 13.3x |
|
Psychology
Psychology, General Compare across schools → |
39
|
$28,928/yr | High | 13.4x |
|
English
English Language and Literature, General Compare across schools → |
36
|
$33,483/yr | Very High | 12.3x |
|
Linguistics
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services Compare across schools → |
36
|
$33,415/yr | Very High | 9.3x |
|
Family & Consumer Sciences
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General Compare across schools → |
36
|
$31,910/yr | High | 13.3x |
|
Biology
Biology, General Compare across schools → |
36
|
$29,435/yr | High | 12.7x |
| Animal Sciences Compare across schools → |
35
|
$30,220/yr | High | 12.1x |
|
Geosciences
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Compare across schools → |
32
|
$29,030/yr | High | 14.8x |
|
Film & Photography
Film/Video and Photographic Arts Compare across schools → |
30
|
$29,608/yr | High | 11.8x |
|
Liberal Arts & Humanities
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Compare across schools → |
29
|
$30,380/yr | Low | 12.6x |
| Sustainability Studies Compare across schools → |
22
|
$22,296/yr | High | 5.9x |
More Colleges in Montana
Top-scored 4-year colleges and universities elsewhere in Montana, ranked by average DegreeOutlook Score across their programs.
Montana State University-Northern
Havre, MT
3 programs
70/100
Montana Technological University
Butte, MT
7 programs
69/100
Montana State University Billings
Billings, MT
6 programs
58/100
The University of Montana-Western
Dillon, MT
3 programs
57/100
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT
22 programs
41/100
Carroll College
Helena, MT
7 programs
40/100
Rocky Mountain College
Billings, MT
5 programs
34/100