Biology at Montana State University

Montana State's biology program starts graduates at below-average salaries—$29,435 in the first year—but shows notable earning momentum, with incomes climbing to $39,079 by year four. That 33% growth rate suggests graduates are finding their footing in the job market, though they're starting from behind peers at The University of Montana, whose biology graduates earn $43,914 early in their careers.

The debt picture is reasonable at $24,750, creating a manageable 0.84 debt-to-earnings ratio that many graduates should be able to handle within the first few years of employment. Within Montana's limited biology program landscape (just 9 schools), this program sits near the median for both earnings and debt—neither a standout nor a weak performer. The moderate sample size suggests these numbers reflect typical outcomes rather than outliers.

For a family considering this program, the key question is whether your student is prepared for a slower launch. Biology majors often pursue graduate school or take entry-level positions that lead somewhere better, and the earnings trajectory here supports that pathway. If your child is debt-averse and wants immediate earning power, this isn't the strongest biology option in Montana. But if they value MSU's research opportunities or location and understand they're building toward year-four earnings rather than year-one paychecks, the investment makes sense.