Economics at The University of Montana

Economics degrees in Montana typically produce first-year earnings around $47,000, making this program's estimated $51,700 figure—drawn from national peer programs—look relatively strong. With an estimated debt load of $21,650, graduates would face manageable monthly payments of roughly $240, about 6% of their gross income. That's a comfortable margin, even if actual outcomes vary from these national estimates.

The challenge is Montana's job market. With only two universities offering economics degrees in the state, and Montana State reporting $47,000 in actual earnings (about $4,600 less than the national benchmark used here), there's real uncertainty about whether University of Montana graduates will match the national median or trend closer to state norms. The difference matters: at $47,000, the debt ratio climbs from 0.42 to 0.46, still manageable but tighter.

The appeal here is straightforward—a reasonably priced economics credential from an accessible public university. But parents should recognize they're making decisions based on what happens at similar programs elsewhere, not on this school's actual track record. If your student is set on staying in Montana after graduation, treat the $47,000 state figure as the more realistic baseline for planning purposes.