Compare 6 Biology, General. programs in Montana. Average earnings: $32,655.
Biology, General. programs produce graduates earning between $16,293 and $51,203—a $35K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 6 ranked programs in Montana, outcomes vary dramatically based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
The University of Montana-Western's Biology, General. program leads with graduates earning $51,203, significantly outpacing the state average of $32,655. Montana State University follows at $39,079, while The University of Montana trails at $32,483—proof that program-level factors drive outcomes more than overall school reputation.
Highest program earnings: $51,203
Strong outcomes with 99.5% acceptance
10.1% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
16.6% family burden | Manageable - payment 12-18% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $51,203 | 9 | $21,000 | Good | $11,827 | Manageable | |
| #2 | Montana State UniversityPublic | $39,079 | 99 | $22,500 | Challenging | $25,000 | High |
| #3 | $32,483 | 53 | $22,400 | High | $19,000 | High | |
| #4 | University Of ProvidencePrivate | $28,960 | 10 | $18,750 | High | $10,000 | High |
| #5 | Rocky Mountain CollegePrivate | $27,912 | 23 | $26,000 | High | $19,971 | High |
| #6 | Carroll CollegePrivate | $16,293 | 32 | $25,757 | High | $37,513 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
