Subject-Area Teaching at The University of Montana

Missoula, MT · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,298/yr (-32% vs median)
AI Risk High (43% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (444,600 openings/yr)
ROI 16.0x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #293 of 348 Teacher Education programs

Program Analysis

Your path through the University of Montana's Teacher Education program often leads to vital roles within the state's public school system. While these careers are incredibly rewarding, the regional labor market in Montana typically offers more modest compensation for K-12 educators compared to larger metropolitan areas or states with higher cost-of-living adjustments. Many graduates find themselves teaching in Missoula or surrounding rural districts, where the demand for dedicated educators is constant, but salary scales are influenced by state and local public funding models. The program is well-regarded locally, preparing you for immediate classroom impact. However, understand that the higher-earning postsecondary teaching roles listed often require advanced degrees beyond this program, representing a further investment in your education. If a career shaping young minds in Montana is your calling, thoroughly research district salary schedules and consider the holistic value of community impact and lifestyle over initial income projections.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Subject-Area Teaching graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $524K $521K $495K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.1x 16.0x 15.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.1x 4.1x 3.9x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 45 58

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 (4.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$68,472
-110% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,905
66% growth from Year 1

About The University of Montana

With 96% of applicants admitted, The University of Montana prioritizes broad access, enrolling 7,079 students in Missoula, MT.

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

Top Career Paths

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary $101,390/yr
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary $100,830/yr
View all 30 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Subject-Area Teaching 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 Subject-Area Teaching program score?
This program scores 45/100 — on the lower end for Subject-Area Teaching. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Subject-Area Teaching to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Subject-Area Teaching careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 43% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Subject-Area Teaching earnings lower at The University of Montana?
Lower starting pay at The University of Montana may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →