Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Montana State University

Montana State's electrical engineering program delivers solid outcomes with notably manageable debt. Graduates start at $77,060—right at both the national and state median—but with roughly $4,000 less debt than typical engineering graduates carry. That 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe about three months' salary, making those first years after graduation considerably less financially stressful than at many engineering schools.

The earnings trajectory is steady rather than spectacular, growing to $81,541 by year four. While this puts graduates near the national 75th percentile eventually, the 6% growth is modest for an engineering field where rapid salary progression is common. Being one of only two schools in Montana offering this degree gives MSU a regional advantage, though the 46th national percentile suggests you're getting good value rather than exceptional outcomes. The accessible admission rate (87%) means your child likely won't face brutal competition to get in, which matters for a rigorous technical program.

For an in-state student paying Montana tuition, this program offers a straightforward path into electrical engineering with minimal financial risk. The debt load is genuinely reasonable, the starting salary covers living expenses comfortably, and graduates enter a field with strong long-term prospects even if this specific program doesn't produce the highest initial earners.