Sustainability Studiesat Montana State University
Graduates earn $22,296/yr in their first year — about 40.0% below the national Sustainability Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $388K; scenarios range from $382K to $376K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Montana State University
Considering Sustainability Studies at MSU requires a pragmatic look at your post-graduation prospects. While the field is vital, the broad, interdisciplinary nature of this degree means you'll often need to carve out your own niche, particularly in a regional economy like Montana's, which isn't a hub for high-paying corporate sustainability roles. Many graduates find themselves in non-profits, government agencies, or educational roles, which, while rewarding, typically offer lower starting salaries. The higher-earning career paths listed often demand significant experience or advanced degrees beyond a bachelor's. Furthermore, the field's susceptibility to AI suggests that foundational analytical tasks may become increasingly automated, emphasizing the need for advanced strategic thinking. To maximize your return, actively seek internships that provide specialized, tangible skills in areas like renewable energy project management, environmental data analysis, or sustainable business consulting, or consider pairing this with a more vocational minor.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Montana State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Sustainability Studies
How Montana State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Montana State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Montana State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Sustainability Studies offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Sustainability Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Sustainability Studies at Montana State University
How does Montana State University's Sustainability Studies program score?
This program scores 22/100 — on the lower end for Sustainability Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Sustainability Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Sustainability Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Sustainability Studies earnings lower at Montana State University?
Lower starting pay at Montana State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.