Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks The University of Montana #842 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $50,928, placing The University of Montana in the 11.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks The University of Montana #1105 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- The University of Montana's composite ranking reflects strong outcomes across access, mobility, and affordability — a combination that delivers meaningful financial returns for graduates. Median earnings four years after enrollment are $50,928, placing the institution in the 11.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks The University of Montana #842 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 43.0 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public research university (Carnegie R1) in Missoula, MT, University of Montana enrolls roughly 7,488 undergraduates. Retention is 74.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 48.0%, placing the institution among the stronger performers nationally for converting enrollment into degree completion. Where The University of Montana performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks The University of Montana #1105 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 25.3 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $50,928, placing The University of Montana in the 11.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $3,313 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing The University of Montana in the 44.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. The University of Montana sits in the 44.3 percentile for access and the 66.6 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls 28.0% Pell-eligible students and 30.2% first-generation undergraduates, reflecting a regional public-university mission. For students seeking strong long-term earnings outcomes in a research-university setting anchored in the Northern Rockies, University of Montana delivers measurable financial returns that exceed those of many peer institutions.
The University of Montana's published cost of attendance is $23,570. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $13,960, mid-low-income families pay around $14,892, middle-income families pay about $17,180, mid-high-income families pay approximately $19,269, and higher-income families pay around $20,930. Azimuth ranks The University of Montana #476 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. The University of Montana's aid structure combines federal need-based aid, state grants, and institutional scholarships to close gaps between sticker price and what families actually pay. Most students receive some form of financial aid, and the university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. The gap between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to making a public university education accessible across income levels. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,400, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $19,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $50,928, median federal debt of $22,400 projects to a monthly payment of about $253 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
The University of Montana is a strong fit for students seeking a public research university experience in the Mountain West, particularly those interested in business and applied fields. Its outcomes align well with students who prioritize regional career pathways and affordability. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $50,928, placing The University of Montana in the 11.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,313 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 44.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls students from a range of backgrounds, with 28.0% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 30.2% identifying as first-generation. This access combines with solid outcomes for low-income graduates, placing The University of Montana in the 32.9 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix leans heavily toward Business (17% of degrees), and earnings reflect MT's regional labor market rather than coastal urban centers. Students whose interests align with these areas will find strong value relative to the state's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $30,928.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the The University Of Montana hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
The University of Montana's published cost of attendance is $23,570. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $13,960, mid-low-income families pay around $14,892, middle-income families pay about $17,180, mid-high-income families pay approximately $19,269, and higher-income families pay around $20,930.
Azimuth ranks The University of Montana #476 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
The University of Montana's aid structure combines federal need-based aid, state grants, and institutional scholarships to close gaps between sticker price and what families actually pay. Most students receive some form of financial aid, and the university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
The gap between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to making a public university education accessible across income levels. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,400, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $19,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $50,928, median federal debt of $22,400 projects to a monthly payment of about $253 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of the University of Montana earn median 4-year earnings of $50,928, placing The University of Montana in the 11.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,313 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing The University of Montana in the 44.1 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks The University of Montana #1105 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The University of Montana's program portfolio centers on Business, which anchors the institution's earnings profile.
Psychology, General is the largest program with 97 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $46,192, performing at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The Natural Resources Conservation and Research program graduates 71 students earning $43,813, while Management Information Systems and Services and Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management round out the top programs with 67 and 64 graduates respectively.
These fields reflect The University of Montana's strength in applied, professional, and business-oriented disciplines that connect directly to regional labor-market demand in Montana.
Management Information Systems and Services
67 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
23 graduates
Forestry
15 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
46 graduates
Communication and Media Studies
55 graduates
The University of Montana's program mix centers on Business and applied professional fields. Psychology, General is the largest program with 97 graduates annually, followed by Natural Resources Conservation and Research, Management Information Systems and Services, Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management, and Biology, General.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 1,199 students, the institution delivers consistent outcomes in workforce-aligned fields. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in Management Information Systems and Services, where graduates earn median earnings of $73,149 four years after enrollment with 67 graduates annually.
Business Administration follows with median earnings of $57,892 and 46 graduates, and Communication and Media Studies delivers median earnings of $54,300. These programs reflect The University of Montana's positioning as a regional comprehensive university where practical, career-focused fields drive post-graduation outcomes.
The institution's program portfolio emphasizes direct-to-workforce pathways in fields like Sociology and Psychology, General, where graduates enter the labor market immediately and earnings reflect regional and national labor-market conditions. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with workforce demand in Montana and neighboring regions.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Suny At Fredonia Similar quality tier (#25904 ranked) | NY | 78% | $54,247 | #25904 | Compare |
University Of North Alabama Similar quality tier (#24826 ranked) | AL | 87% | $45,415 | #24826 | Compare |
Lander University Similar quality tier (#25979 ranked) | SC | 81% | $42,396 | #25979 | Compare |
Francis Marion University Similar quality tier (#24289 ranked) | SC | 86% | $43,888 | #24289 | Compare |
Keene State College Similar quality tier (#27595 ranked) | NH | 90% | $54,368 | #27595 | Compare |
