Construction Engineering Technologies at Montana State University

Bozeman, MT · Public · Bachelor's Degree
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
72
Optimistic
71
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $77,139/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (51% exposed)
Job Market Large (69,200 openings/yr)
ROI 21.6x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 of 45 Construction Engineering Technologies programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Construction Engineering Technologies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $729K $699K $616K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.5x 21.6x 19.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.6x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 55% 48% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 71 68

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,332
Out-of-state: $125,348 (5.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$82,372
-155% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,185
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$89,788
16% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $77,139 at Montana State University come in 8% above the national median of $71,754 for Construction Engineering Technologies programs.

The 21.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 51% task exposure — and the 15% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $77,139 far exceeding the $25,185 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #9 out of 45 programs, Montana State University's Construction Engineering Technologies program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $77,139 to $89,788 over five years (16% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Montana State University

Montana State University accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 14,472 students in Bozeman, MT.

See all programs and financial aid at Montana State University →

Top Career Paths

Construction managers $106,980/yr
Cost estimators $77,070/yr
Civil engineering technologists and technicians $64,200/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Construction Engineering Technologies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Montana State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Montana State University's Construction Engineering Technologies program score?
A score of 71/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Montana State University's Construction Engineering Technologies graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Construction Engineering Technologies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Construction Engineering Technologies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 51% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Montana State University rank so high for Construction Engineering Technologies?
The #9 ranking out of 45 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →