Montana State University consistently delivers above-average earnings outcomes that place graduates in strong financial positions, particularly through its robust nursing, computer science, and technical programs.
The university's balanced approach to access and outcomes creates reliable pathways to middle-class careers and economic stability for students from diverse backgrounds.
Montana State University ranks among the stronger public universities nationally, delivering above-average returns on investment through a combination of solid earnings outcomes and reasonable costs. Located in Bozeman, MSU serves as Montana's flagship research institution, offering comprehensive academic programs with particular strength in technical fields, nursing, and applied sciences. The university maintains a balanced approach to access and outcomes, with about 17% of students receiving Pell Grants and first-generation students comprising roughly 23% of the student body.
What distinguishes MSU is its ability to prepare graduates for stable, well-paying careers across diverse fields. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $53,263, placing the university in the 62nd percentile nationally for long-term earnings. The institution's strength lies particularly in professional programs like nursing, where graduates see strong early-career outcomes, and technical fields like computer science, where median earnings reach over $72,000.
As a large public research university in the Mountain West, MSU combines the resources and academic breadth of a major institution with the accessibility and community feel of a regional flagship. For families seeking predictable costs, strong career preparation, and access to outdoor recreation and mountain lifestyle, MSU offers a compelling combination of academic quality and regional character that appeals to students from across the region and beyond.
Montana State University's program portfolio reflects a practical, career-focused approach that emphasizes professional preparation and technical skills. Nursing stands out as both the highest-return program and a substantial operation, graduating 246 students annually with strong median earnings of $59,411 that reflect the high demand for healthcare professionals in Montana and the broader region. Computer Science delivers the highest individual earnings at $72,325 for its 92 graduates, representing MSU's growing strength in technology fields that serve both local and national markets.
The university's largest program, Family and Consumer Sciences, graduates 215 students with more moderate earnings of $27,822, reflecting MSU's commitment to serving diverse career paths including education, social services, and community development roles that are essential to Montana's communities. This balance between high-earning technical programs and broader professional fields demonstrates MSU's role as a comprehensive regional university that prepares graduates for both specialized careers and general workforce needs.
MSU's program mix emphasizes hands-on, applied learning that translates directly into employment opportunities. The university's location in Bozeman, a growing technology and outdoor recreation hub, provides students with internship and job placement opportunities that complement their academic preparation. Strong alumni networks in healthcare, agriculture, natural resources, and emerging technology sectors help graduates find stable employment that offers both career satisfaction and financial security over the long term.
Montana State University graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes that reflect the institution's strength in professional and technical programs. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $53,263, placing MSU in the 62nd percentile nationally among public universities. While earnings don't dramatically exceed expectations compared with similar institutions, they represent reliable, steady financial progress that supports comfortable middle-class lifestyles, particularly given Montana's moderate cost of living where earnings stretch further than in many other regions.
The university's strongest financial returns come from its professional programs, with nursing leading the way as both the highest-return major and a substantial program graduating 246 students annually with median earnings of $59,411. Computer Science delivers the highest individual earnings at $72,325 for 92 graduates, while Family and Consumer Sciences represents the largest program footprint with 215 graduates earning $27,822. This pattern reflects MSU's balanced portfolio between high-earning technical fields and broader liberal arts and professional programs that serve diverse career paths and regional workforce needs.
MSU's program mix emphasizes practical, career-focused education that translates directly into employment opportunities. The university's location in Montana's growing Bozeman area, combined with strong alumni networks in healthcare, technology, agriculture, and natural resources, helps graduates find stable employment in fields that offer both personal satisfaction and financial security over the long term.
Montana State University offers predictable and reasonable affordability across income levels, making it accessible to a broad range of Montana families and out-of-state students. Low-income students pay about $16,713 annually after aid, while middle-income families see net costs around $20,572, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,771. These figures place MSU roughly in line with national averages for public universities, providing solid value without being exceptionally expensive or exceptionally cheap.
The university's debt structure remains manageable for most graduates. Typical federal student loan debt is $22,500, a moderate level that aligns well with MSU's median graduate earnings of $53,263. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $20,820, reflecting families' willingness to invest in their students' education while keeping debt levels reasonable. With a 0% federal loan default rate, MSU graduates demonstrate strong ability to manage their educational debt successfully.
What makes MSU particularly sustainable financially is the combination of moderate borrowing levels and reliable post-graduation earnings. The university's focus on career-oriented programs means graduates typically find steady employment that supports comfortable debt repayment. Montana's lower cost of living also helps graduates stretch their earnings further, making loan payments more manageable relative to their overall budgets and lifestyle costs.
Montana State University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
