Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences bachelor's degree outcomes at Montana State University

Bozeman, MT · Public · Federal field 4006

Data scope

Federal records group outcomes by college, four-digit field and credential level. A record may cover several catalog programs or concentrations.

The short version

Reported earnings trail the same-degree benchmark.

$10,949 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 45.2% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: Not reached
10-year scenario: −84% · Negative payoff
Price evidence: College-wide context only

OUTCOME SIGNALS

Graduate outcomes from several angles.

Follow earnings over time and inspect the cohort behind each federal measure.

+76%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$29,030 → $50,960

27Earn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

29Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

46Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

28Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

Not availableAwarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

1Recent awardsIPEDS 2023–24 first-major completions in this field and credential

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$22,499

Institution-wide annual average net price—not this program’s price.

02 · BORROWING$22,250

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$49,241

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$236/mo

Estimated standard 10-year federal payment.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Published college costs provide the starting point.

Your exact offering, aid, residency and time to finish determine the price you actually pay.

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AVERAGE NET PRICE$22,499Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$25,905Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE82.1%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE57.1%Institution-wide completion rate

WHAT DO GRADUATES EARN?

Reported earnings after completion.

Each point may represent a different federal cohort. A missing bar means the figure was unavailable or suppressed.

$29,030Year 1

$49,241Year 4

$50,960Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

5.8% of gross monthly earnings

Estimated monthly payment divided by observed gross monthly earnings. This excludes taxes, other debts and income-driven repayment.

Gross monthly earnings$4,103

Estimated loan payment$236

28borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$49,241 vs. $60,190

$10,949 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Same-field national median

WHAT WORK CAN IT LEAD TO?

Related occupations, wages and outlook.

Official CIP–SOC links show careers the curriculum may prepare students for—not observed jobs held by this school’s graduates. BLS wages describe everyone working in an occupation.

BLS May 2025 wage estimates and 2025–35 employment projections.

Natural Sciences Managers$119,430 median wageMT estimate · 370 jobs · 11-9121+8.2% projected U.S. growth · 9.2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeAtmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary$103,170 median wageU.S. estimate · 9,900 jobs · 25-1051+2.4% projected U.S. growth · 0.8k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeGeoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers$75,520 median wageMT estimate · 210 jobs · 19-2042+5.1% projected U.S. growth · 1.8k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeHydrologists$84,500 median wageMT estimate · 190 jobs · 19-2043+1.5% projected U.S. growth · 0.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeChemistry Teachers, Postsecondary$84,680 median wageMT estimate · 80 jobs · 25-1052+2.3% projected U.S. growth · 1.7k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeGeological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians$55,520 median wageMT estimate · 100 jobs · 19-4043+3.6% projected U.S. growth · 1k openings/yrTypical entry: Associate's degreeHydrologic Technicians$53,550 median wageMT estimate · 70 jobs · 19-4044-1.3% projected U.S. growth · 0.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Associate's degree

Possible alternatives