Program Analysis
At $48,164/yr, Business/Commerce, General graduates from Montana State University land near the $48,211 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
With a 18.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business/Commerce, General career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
The median debt load of $20,735 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Montana State University ranks #9 among 242 Business/Commerce, General programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
A 42% earnings increase from $48,164 to $68,260 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.