History at The University of Montana

Missoula, MT · Public · Bachelor's Degree
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
39
Optimistic
38
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,508/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 14.6x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #246 of 389 History programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to History graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $476K $477K $452K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.6x 14.6x 13.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.8x 3.8x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 38 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,608
Out-of-state: $126,488 (3.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$68,472
-110% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,343
10.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,045
47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $28,508 track close to the $32,281 national median for History programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 14.6x 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 — 44% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,343 debt-to-$28,508 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #246 out of 389 programs, The University of Montana's financial outcomes for History trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $28,508 to $42,045 shows 47% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About The University of Montana

The University of Montana has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 7,079 in Missoula, MT.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Montana →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Managers, all other $136,550/yr
History teachers, postsecondary $81,500/yr
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

History at Other Schools

Other Majors at The University of Montana

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does The University of Montana's History program score?
This program scores 38/100 — on the lower end for History. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is History to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' History 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →