Psychology at The University of Montana

University of Montana's Psychology bachelor's produces earnings that land in just the 5th percentile nationally—well below the $31,482 national median for psychology programs. However, against Montana's more modest market, graduates place squarely in the middle at the 40th percentile. That first-year salary of $25,023 barely covers living expenses, though earnings do jump 48% by year four to $37,141. The $27,000 in debt looks manageable on paper, but when your first job pays $25,023, that 1.08 debt-to-earnings ratio means you're starting in the red.

The comparison to Montana State (where psychology grads earn $28,928) and Rocky Mountain College ($29,910) shows this program trailing its in-state peers by $3,900 to $4,900 annually. That gap compounds over a career. The 96% admission rate suggests minimal selectivity, and while the debt load sits below both state and national medians, the real constraint is income, not borrowing.

If your child is dead-set on psychology and staying in Montana, this program won't saddle them with crushing debt. But the earnings trajectory suggests they'll need a graduate degree or career pivot to reach middle-class stability. For families counting on a four-year degree to launch financial independence, the numbers here point to a longer runway than you'd want.