Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at The University of Montana

University of Montana's teaching program produces graduates earning $36,142 in their first year—about $5,700 below the national median and even slightly below Montana's state median. This is sobering for one of the state's flagship universities, landing in just the 18th percentile nationally while Carroll College graduates in the same program start at $43,000. The debt load of $24,880 equals the state median, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69, but that's cold comfort when the earnings themselves are this low.

The modest 7% earnings growth over four years suggests teachers here aren't seeing significant salary bumps as they gain experience, reaching only $38,726 by year four. Among Montana's ten teaching programs, UM sits right at the middle of the pack—acceptable if you're paying in-state tuition, but this isn't a program with standout outcomes. The 96% admission rate and accessible price point make this a viable path into teaching if you're committed to staying in Montana, but the weak starting salary means you'll need to be prepared for tight budgets in those early career years. If teaching is your calling and you're Montana-bound, this program works, but temper your financial expectations accordingly.