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Liberal Arts & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities — 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities at Montana State University?

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

Is Montana State University a good choice for Liberal Arts & Humanities 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 →