Biology at The University of Montana-Western
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Montana
Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Montana (9 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Montana-Western | $32,296* | $51,203 | — | — |
| The University of Montana | $43,914* | $32,483 | $26,718 | 0.61 |
| Carroll College | $35,157* | — | $27,000 | 0.77 |
| Montana State University | $29,435* | $39,079 | $24,750 | 0.84 |
| Rocky Mountain College | $27,912* | — | $22,663 | 0.81 |
| National Median | $32,316* | — | $25,000 | 0.77 |
Other Biology Programs in Montana
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Montana schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Montana Missoula | $8,152 | $43,914 | $26,718 |
| Carroll College Helena | $40,352 | $35,157 | $27,000 |
| Montana State University Bozeman | $8,083 | $29,435 | $24,750 |
| Rocky Mountain College Billings | $33,252 | $27,912 | $22,663 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At The University of Montana-Western, approximately 35% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in MT. Actual outcomes may vary.