Montana State University vs The University of Montana
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Montana State University Bozeman, MT | The University of Montana Missoula, MT | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Poor return |
| 10-year ROI | +25% | -13% |
| 10-year net gain | $24,695 | $-9,569 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $57,289 | $51,573 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $37,341 | $38,627 |
| Average net price | $22,499 | $16,784 |
| Median debt | $22,500 | $22,400 |
| Break-even | 8 yrs | 11.5 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 57% | 48% |
| Admission rate | 82% | 96% |
Montana State University
Break-even
+$24,695 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
The University of Montana
Poor return
$-9,569 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.