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Multi / Interdisciplinary · Sustainability Studies Rank #21 of 22

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.

Bozeman, MT Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
22 AT RISK
23
Optimistic
21
Pessimistic
Earnings
$22,296
1-year post-graduation
ROI
5.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$388K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

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.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$382K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score21/100
Earnings Multiple11.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$388K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score22/100
Earnings Multiple12.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$376K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score23/100
Earnings Multiple11.6x
Earnings Trajectory

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.

Career Paths

Where Sustainability Studies graduates typically work

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.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Social scientists and related workers, all other
-1.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$100,340/yr
High
3
Environmental science teachers, postsecondary
+2.9% 10-yr growth · 700 openings/yr
$87,710/yr
High
4
Urban and regional planners
+3.4% 10-yr growth · 3,400 openings/yr
$83,720/yr
Moderate
5
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
+4.4% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$80,060/yr
High
6
Postsecondary teachers, all other
+1.8% 10-yr growth · 13,500 openings/yr
$78,490/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Sustainability Studies

How Montana State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
WI · Public
52
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
16.8x
ROI
Columbia University in the City of New York
NY · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
2.1x
ROI
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
IL · Public
42
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
6.9x
ROI
University of Northern Colorado
CO · Public
44
DW Score
$42K
1-yr earn
10.3x
ROI
Western Washington University
WA · Public
41
DW Score
$42K
1-yr earn
10.2x
ROI
Also at Montana State University

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 →
FAQ

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.