Best Bachelor's Degree Programs at Montana State University by ROI
Every Bachelor's Degree major at Montana State University ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
33
Majors with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$73,626
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$23,779
Cost of attendance
| # | Major | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Computer Science.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
+$752,129 | $85,881 | $23,779 | $22,500 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
+$507,100 | $73,528 | $23,779 | $20,995 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Mechanical Engineering.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
+$491,179 | $73,003 | $23,779 | $25,011 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Construction Engineering Technologies.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
+$489,194 | $73,041 | $23,779 | $27,044 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
+$425,059 | $69,865 | $23,779 | $27,500 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Civil Engineering.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
+$214,972 | $58,924 | $23,779 | $21,031 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
+$211,624 | $59,227 | $23,779 | $28,000 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Environmental Design.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
+$173,504 | $55,431 | $23,779 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Chemical Engineering.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
+$98,258 | $53,365 | $23,779 | $25,130 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Mathematics.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
+$75,824 | $52,167 | $23,779 | $24,000 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Business/Commerce, General.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
+$46,074 | $50,612 | $23,779 | $23,000 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Agricultural Business and Management.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
+$3,584 | $48,285 | $23,779 | $20,000 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$120,303 | $42,230 | $23,779 | $22,065 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Economics.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$140,961 | $41,429 | $23,779 | $25,500 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$167,576 | $39,997 | $23,779 | $24,000 | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
Political Science and Government.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$210,605 | $37,612 | $23,779 | $20,540 | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
Sociology.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$212,473 | $37,634 | $23,779 | $22,250 | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
Plant Sciences.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$219,931 | $37,143 | $23,779 | $20,500 | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$229,413 | $36,787 | $23,779 | $22,250 | Full ROI → |
| 20 |
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$257,736 | $35,624 | $23,779 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 21 |
Music.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$257,856 | $33,863 | $23,779 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 22 |
English Language and Literature, General.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$261,433 | $35,066 | $23,779 | $20,472 | Full ROI → |
| 23 |
Psychology, General.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$264,874 | $35,063 | $23,779 | $22,977 | Full ROI → |
| 24 |
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$281,309 | $34,285 | $23,779 | $23,625 | Full ROI → |
| 25 |
Biology, General.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$298,148 | $33,519 | $23,779 | $24,750 | Full ROI → |
| 26 |
Natural Resources Conservation and Research.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$302,220 | $33,470 | $23,779 | $27,040 | Full ROI → |
| 27 |
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$322,586 | $32,314 | $23,779 | $25,000 | Full ROI → |
| 28 |
Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$329,004 | $31,959 | $23,779 | $24,495 | Full ROI → |
| 29 |
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$372,874 | $29,937 | $23,779 | $27,036 | Full ROI → |
| 30 |
Fine and Studio Arts.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$384,436 | $29,289 | $23,779 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 31 |
Animal Sciences.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$385,681 | $29,094 | $23,779 | $24,034 | Full ROI → |
| 32 |
Anthropology.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$429,016 | $25,305 | $23,779 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 33 |
History.
Grad rate: 57.1% |
-$469,751 | $24,787 | $23,779 | $22,500 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.