Business Administration, Management and Operations at The University of Montana-Western

Starting at $35,880 puts UM-Western business graduates nearly $10,000 behind the national median, but the 27% earnings growth over four years tells a more hopeful story. By year four, graduates reach $45,620—essentially catching up to where peers at other schools started. Within Montana, this program sits right at the state's middle tier (40th percentile), trailing Carroll College and Rocky Mountain College but comparable to Montana State-Northern. The moderate debt load of $21,627 is actually below Montana's median for business programs, creating a manageable 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio that improves as incomes rise.

The core question is whether your child can navigate those challenging first few years. The low starting salary reflects Dillon's rural economy and perhaps the school's 100% admission rate attracting less career-ready students, but graduates who stick it out see meaningful income progression. The relatively affordable debt burden helps—monthly payments won't overwhelm that initial $36,000 salary the way they might elsewhere.

For families prioritizing low debt over immediate earnings potential, this works. The trajectory suggests employers eventually value these degrees reasonably well, even if the market doesn't at first. Just understand your child may need financial support or a second job early on while building experience.