The University of Montana
The University of Montana — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
The University of Montana at a Glance
The University of Montana (UM) is a public research university in Missoula, Montana, United States. UM is a flagship institution of the Montana University System and its second largest campus. Fall 2024 saw total enrollment hit 10,811, marking the highest total enrollment for UM since 2018.
1893
133 years old
$321M
$320.7 million (2025)
11,064
6,237 undergrad
559
220 acres
Identity
Is The University of Montana Worth It?
At a value score of 31/100, The University of Montana is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $44,511 — 17% below average — while paying $16,784/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 47% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 96% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $22,400 representing 50% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at The University of Montana has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How The University of Montana compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #93 of 134 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #2 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #5 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #6 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #93 | The University of Montana | 31 | $16,784 | $44,511 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of The University of Montana's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at The University of Montana
The highest-earning program at The University of Montana is Management Information Systems and Services at $53,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $18,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Management Information Systems and Services graduate from The University of Montana earns $53,900, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $18,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Management Information Systems and Services graduates carry $28,667 in median debt vs. $24,188 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,784/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management Information Systems and Services | $53,900 | $53,900 | $28,667 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,300 | $38,300 | $23,424 |
| Forestry | $35,700 | $35,700 | $19,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $35,100 | $35,100 | $27,000 |
| Education, General | $31,200 | $31,200 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $30,500 | $30,500 | $26,593 |
| Music | $28,900 | $28,900 | $25,500 |
| Anthropology | $27,900 | $27,900 | $26,750 |
| Political Science and Government | $27,100 | $27,100 | $21,750 |
| Sociology | $27,100 | $27,100 | $25,000 |
| Social Work | $27,000 | $27,000 | $26,642 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $25,200 | $25,200 | $24,597 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $24,500 | $24,500 | $21,750 |
| Psychology, General | $24,500 | $24,500 | $23,808 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $24,200 | $24,200 | $24,773 |
| Biology, General | $24,200 | $24,200 | $22,600 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $23,700 | $23,700 | $26,159 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $23,200 | $23,200 | $22,746 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $23,100 | $23,100 | $25,909 |
| Journalism | $22,900 | $22,900 | $24,250 |
| History | $22,100 | $22,100 | $24,379 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $20,500 | $20,500 | $25,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $20,300 | $20,300 | $27,874 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $18,400 | $18,400 | $24,188 |
Similar Colleges in MT
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Missoula, MT
- Student Body
- 7,488 students
- Admission Rate
- 96%
- Graduation Rate
- 47%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,784
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $44,511
- Median Student Debt
- $22,400