Psychology at The University of Montana

Missoula, MT · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
33
Optimistic
33
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,023/yr (-21% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 14.9x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #522 of 926 Psychology, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $484K $485K $457K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.9x 14.9x 14.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.8x 3.8x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 33 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,608
Out-of-state: $126,488 (3.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$68,472
-110% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,111
11.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,785
67% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,023 place The University of Montana below the $31,705 national median for Psychology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Psychology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Psychology's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,111 represents roughly 11 months of the $25,023 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #522 of 926 Psychology programs, The University of Montana falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $41,785 show a 67% jump from the $25,023 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About The University of Montana

The University of Montana accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 7,079 in Missoula, MT.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Montana →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Psychologists, all other $117,580/yr
Industrial-organizational psychologists $109,840/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Psychology at Other Schools

Other Majors at The University of Montana

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Psychology at The University of Montana?
A score of 33/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Psychology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Psychology careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $457,486 in decade earnings vs $484,290 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Psychology from The University of Montana?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →