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Sustainability Studies at Montana State University

Bozeman, MT · Public · Bachelor's Degree
22 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
23
Optimistic
22
Base Case
21
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,296/yr (-40% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (45,900 openings/yr)
ROI 12.0x earnings multiple (3.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #21 of 22 Sustainability Studies programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $376K $388K $382K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.6x 12.0x 11.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.0x 3.1x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 23 22 21

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 (3.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$82,372
-155% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

Montana State University's Sustainability Studies graduates start at $22,296/yr, trailing the $37,053 national average by 40%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 12.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 44% task exposure — and the -2% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At #21 out of 22 programs, Montana State University's financial outcomes for Sustainability Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Montana State University

A 87% acceptance rate means Montana State University is accessible to most applicants, serving 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
Social scientists and related workers, all other $100,340/yr
Environmental science teachers, postsecondary $87,710/yr
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 22 schools offering Sustainability Studies →

Sustainability Studies at Other Schools

University of Wisconsin-Platteville ($59,089) Columbia University in the City of New York ($53,957) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($50,678) University of New Hampshire-Main Campus ($43,090) University of Northern Colorado ($42,076) Western Washington University ($41,600) Montclair State University ($41,445) Utah State University ($39,679)

Other Majors at Montana State University

Construction Engineering Technologies ($77,139) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,060) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($71,915) Mechanical Engineering ($68,469) Civil Engineering ($67,373) Computer Engineering ($67,015) Computer Science ($66,918) Industrial Engineering ($64,082)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Sustainability Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Montana State University's Sustainability Studies program score?
This program scores 22/100 — on the lower end for Sustainability Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Sustainability Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Sustainability Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Sustainability Studies earnings lower at Montana State University?
Lower starting pay at Montana State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →