Chemical Engineering at Montana State University

Montana State's chemical engineering program lands graduates in decent-paying jobs right out of college—$62,000 is solid for Montana—but the earnings trajectory should concern any parent. Four years in, graduates are actually making less than they did initially, dropping to $59,761. That backward slide is particularly troubling in a field where most engineers see their salaries climb steadily in those crucial early career years.

The numbers require context: this program ranks in just the 14th percentile nationally, meaning 86% of chemical engineering programs produce higher-earning graduates. That said, Montana State is the only school in the state offering this degree, and the $25,000 debt load is manageable—you'd need less than half of a first-year salary to pay it off. The admission requirements are accessible, which makes this a viable path for students who might not get into more selective engineering programs elsewhere.

The key question is whether your child could access stronger chemical engineering programs out of state. If finances make Montana State the realistic option, the debt burden won't be crushing, and the starting salary is workable. But if you're choosing Montana State for non-financial reasons, understand that you're trading lower earnings potential for whatever those other factors are worth to your family. The declining earnings pattern suggests limited advancement opportunities for graduates, which matters more over a career than the starting number.