Home › Montana State University › Liberal Arts and Sciences

Liberal Arts and Sciences at Montana State University

Bozeman, MT · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $30,380/yr (-18% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 15.0x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #284 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$486K	$486K	$462K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	15.0x	15.0x	14.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.9x	3.9x	3.7x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	30	29	37

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 (3.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$82,372

-155% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,785

9.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$44,105

45% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,380 place Montana State University below the $37,172 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 15.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 5% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most career paths mapped to Liberal Arts and Sciences involve work that current AI cannot replicate.

At $23,785 against $30,380/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #284 ranking among 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places Montana State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 45% earnings increase from $30,380 to $44,105 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Montana State University

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

See all programs and financial aid at Montana State University →

Top Career Paths

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr

View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts and Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at Montana State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 29/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Montana State University?

At 29/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is Montana State University a good choice for Liberal Arts and Sciences despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Montana State University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →