Political Science at The University of Montana
Missoula, MT · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
57
Optimistic
56
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,094/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI
17.0x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Political Science graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $562K | $554K | $509K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 17.2x | 17.0x | 15.6x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.4x | 4.4x | 4.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 57 | 56 | 53 |
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 (4.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,495
6.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,400
51% growth from Year 1
About The University of Montana
With 96% of applicants admitted, The University of Montana prioritizes broad access, 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
Political scientists
$139,380/yr
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary
$119,980/yr
Compare & Explore
Political Science at Other Schools
Other Majors at The University of Montana
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
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science at The University of Montana?
A score of 56/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Political Science field.
Will AI replace Political Science careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $508,740 in decade earnings vs $561,895 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes The University of Montana's Political Science program stand out?
Ranked #80 of 521 programs nationally, The University of Montana lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →