History at Montana State University

Bozeman, MT · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
42
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,692/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 15.5x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #175 of 389 History programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to History graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $500K $500K $469K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.5x 15.5x 14.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.0x 4.0x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 42 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,332
Out-of-state: $125,348 (4.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$82,372
-155% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,375
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,865
54% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $29,692/yr, roughly in line with the $32,281 national median for History. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI History programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in History's typical career paths, with 44% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,375 represents roughly 8 months of the $29,692 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #175 of 389 History programs, Montana State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $45,865 show a 54% jump from the $29,692 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Montana State University

Montana State University accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 14,472 students in Bozeman, MT.

See all programs and financial aid at Montana State University →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Managers, all other $136,550/yr
History teachers, postsecondary $81,500/yr
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

History at Other Schools

Other Majors at Montana State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for History at Montana State University?
A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for History. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace History careers?
With 44% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $468,622 in decade earnings vs $500,428 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →