Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at The University of Montana

A general studies bachelor's degree at UM faces a troubling trajectory: comparable programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $36,340, but by year four, this specific program's graduates earn just $33,519—a decline when you'd expect steady growth. That backward slide matters because with an estimated $26,662 in debt (based on typical borrowing at similar institutions), you're looking at nearly nine months of gross income just to cover what was borrowed.

Montana's general studies landscape offers little reassurance. The state median for these programs sits at $30,106, well below national figures, and UM's reported four-year outcomes fall in that same compressed range as Montana State and MSU-Billings. The debt estimate here is actually lower than Montana's $33,418 median, which helps, but it doesn't solve the core problem: liberal arts degrees in Montana simply don't command the salaries they do elsewhere.

For families weighing this path, the combination of estimated borrowing and documented declining earnings creates real financial vulnerability. If your student is drawn to general studies, push hard for clarity on what specific skills or career pathways they're building—this degree needs intentional direction to overcome weak market positioning in Montana's economy.