Mathematics at Montana State University

Montana State's mathematics program shows a troubling pattern: graduates earn just $34,475 in their first year—barely half the national median for math majors and landing in the 5th percentile nationally. While that places them at the 60th percentile within Montana, that's largely because math programs across the state are underperforming. The $24,000 debt load is reasonable, but when paired with these depressed starting salaries, graduates face a 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio that's higher than ideal for a STEM field.

The 51% earnings jump to $52,167 by year four offers some hope, suggesting these graduates eventually find their footing in the job market. However, this catch-up game puts them years behind peers from stronger programs who start at $48,000+ nationally. For a math degree—typically a reliable ticket to solid employment—these outcomes are disappointing.

The very small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year, so consider them directional rather than definitive. If your child is set on MSU, they should plan to leave Montana for better job prospects or pursue graduate school to access higher-paying positions. A math degree from Montana State requires patience and geographic flexibility to pay off.