Industrial Engineering at Montana State University

Montana State's industrial engineering program starts graduates nearly $11,000 behind the national median at $64,082, placing it in just the 5th percentile nationally—a concerning gap for a field that typically commands strong starting salaries. While the state percentile of 60th sounds better, that's misleading: Montana State is the only school in the state offering this degree, so you're essentially comparing the program to itself. The real benchmark is national, where this program falls well short of what industrial engineering graduates typically earn.

The modest debt load of $26,000 provides some cushion, resulting in a manageable 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio. But here's the fundamental problem: your child would be graduating with an industrial engineering degree earning less than many business majors, despite similar debt. With an 87% admission rate and open access, this program isn't selective enough to explain away the earnings gap through student quality differences.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing significantly year to year, but that cuts both ways—it could get better or worse. If your child is set on industrial engineering and wants to stay in Montana, this is the only in-state option. Otherwise, look at programs in neighboring states where industrial engineering graduates actually earn what the degree typically commands.