Astronomy Degree in Bozeman, MT — Salary & ROI 2026
Astronomy degree analysis for Bozeman, MT. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Reviewed May 21, 2026. DegreeCalc calculators are educational planning tools; verify final tuition, aid, transcript, loan, and employment decisions with official school, federal, servicer, or employer records.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$104K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.1 yrs
in Bozeman
Cost of Living
118.5
index (100 = avg)
Astronomy in Bozeman, MT Overview
While Bozeman has a smaller education market with 3 benchmark points, Astronomy students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,026/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Astronomy enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Astrophysics and Telescope Operation. The adjusted starting salary in Bozeman is approximately $59,250, growing to $104,280 by mid-career.
Category
STEM
Local Benchmarks
3
Public Tuition
$7,700/yr
Private Tuition
$28,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,026/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,490/yr
Unemployment (est.)
3.2%
Graduation Rate (est.)
52%
How to Study Astronomy in Bozeman: Campus, Online, or Transfer
Students searching for a Astronomy degree in Bozeman, MT usually need a practical path, not just a salary estimate. Use the three options below to compare local cost, credential quality, and flexibility before applying.
Nearby Campus Path
Start with NCES College Navigator and each school's catalog. Confirm the program name, degree level, tuition, graduation rate, internship support, and whether the Astronomy major is actually offered at that campus.
Online Degree Path
Astronomy is not always a clean fully-online fit. Look for hybrid programs and ask whether required labs, clinics, studios, or field placements can be completed near Bozeman.
Transfer-Cost Path
Community college tuition near Bozeman averages $5,615/year in this model. A 2+2 transfer plan can reduce debt if the receiving university accepts credits into the Astronomy major.
We intentionally avoid listing unverified local school names on this page. Always verify programs with official school catalogs, NCES/IPEDS, and financial aid offices before applying.
Astronomy Salary in Bozeman (COL-Adjusted)
Modeled salaries: national benchmarks for the major scaled by an estimated Bozeman cost of living index of 118.5 (national average = 100). These are not measured local wages.
Note: National Astronomy salary benchmarks used by this model: $50,000 starting, $88,000 mid-career, $110,000 senior level.Bozeman adjustment factor: 1.19x based on the local cost of living index.
Astronomy ROI Calculator for Bozeman
Estimate your return on investment for a Astronomy degree using DegreeCalc's modeled Bozeman tuition and cost of living estimates.
Public est.: $7,700 | Private est.: $28,000
Bozeman est. aid: $14,490/yr
Federal undergrad (2026-27): 6.52% | Private rates vary by credit
Total Education Cost
$90,904
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,775
vs HS diploma in Bozeman
ROI Payback Period
5.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Bozeman
$501,596
Lifetime earnings premium ($592,500) minus total education cost ($90,904)
Student Loan Payoff for Astronomy in Bozeman
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Bozeman Education Cost Inputs for Astronomy
This local ROI model uses aggregate tuition, aid, housing, and cost-of-living inputs for Bozeman, not a ranked list of individual schools. Confirm any specific program with NCES College Navigator or the school before applying.
Local benchmarks
3
Public tuition
$7,700/yr
Private tuition
$28,000/yr
Community college
$5,615/yr
Top Employers for Astronomy in Bozeman
Typical hiring sectors for Astronomy graduates include Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies; these are general sector categories, not a verified list of Bozeman employers. Common employer types nationally include:
Typical Hiring Sectors for STEM
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Astronomy Job Titles
Other STEM Majors in Bozeman
Prompt Engineering
$59K starting · 1.5 yr ROI
Computational Linguistics
$113K starting · 2 yr ROI
Computer Science
$101K starting · 2.8 yr ROI
Software Engineering
$104K starting · 2.7 yr ROI
Data Science
$97K starting · 3 yr ROI
Astrophysics
$101K starting · 3 yr ROI
Actuarial Science
$59K starting · 3 yr ROI
Cybersecurity
$95K starting · 3 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we estimate Astronomy degree outcomes in Bozeman, MT: This page is a planning model. It combines DegreeCalc's national salary benchmarks for the major with internal city-level estimates for tuition, room and board, aid, unemployment, graduation rate, and cost of living. The figures are not official statistics for Bozeman and are not pulled directly from federal datasets for this city.
- Tuition defaults to the modeled Bozeman public tuition estimate (not program-specific Astronomy tuition). Verify actual program prices in IPEDS / College Navigator.
- Salary estimates multiply the national benchmark for Astronomy by the estimated Bozeman cost of living index divided by 100. This is a simple scaling assumption, not BLS local wage data.
- Payback period = (tuition + room and board − aid over the years of study) ÷ (adjusted starting salary − a $35,000 high school benchmark scaled by the same index). Lifetime return = the major's lifetime earnings premium benchmark scaled by the index, minus that net cost. Loan interest is shown separately and is not subtracted.
- Job market outlook is not projected on this page; see the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for official 10-year projections.
- Default rates are not modeled here; College Scorecard reports repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Astronomy career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Astronomy grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Tobias Merrick · Last updated 2026 · Model estimates; verify with the official sources above
Financial Aid Resources for Bozeman Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Montana students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The Department of Education has begun showing lower-earnings warnings for some programs on the FAFSA, and a federal earnings accountability test for Direct Loan eligibility takes effect July 1, 2027 — check your target program's outcomes:
Pell Grant maximum is set each award year. Undergraduate Direct Loans at 6.52% (first disbursed July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Montana programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "montana higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
FAFSA tip: Check any lower-earnings warning and the program's College Scorecard earnings data before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Astronomy Degree in Bozeman — FAQ
What is the starting salary for Astronomy graduates in Bozeman?
DegreeCalc estimates a starting salary of about $59,250 per year for Astronomy graduates in Bozeman, MT. This is not a measured local wage: the model takes its national starting-salary benchmark for the major ($50,000) and scales it by an estimated local cost of living index of 118.5, so the local estimate is 19% higher than the national benchmark by construction. Check BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for actual local wages.
Is a Astronomy degree worth it in Bozeman?
A Astronomy degree in Bozeman has an estimated ROI payback period of 5.1 years, with a projected lifetime return of $501,596 after subtracting education costs. With 3 local cost benchmark points and estimated public tuition of $7,700/year, Bozeman offers affordable planning assumptions for this degree. The modeled local unemployment rate of 3.2% and the major's national unemployment benchmark of 4.5% should also factor into your decision.
How much does it cost to study Astronomy in Bozeman?
DegreeCalc's planning model estimates public university tuition in Bozeman at about $7,700 per year and private university tuition at about $28,000/year. Including estimated room and board ($15,026/year), modeled 4-year costs range from $90,904 at a public school to $172,104 at a private institution, with estimated average aid of $14,490/year. These are planning estimates; confirm real prices with each school's net price calculator.
Can I study Astronomy online while living in Bozeman?
Astronomy is less commonly offered as a fully online program, so students in Bozeman, MT should verify nearby campus, hybrid, and transfer options before planning around remote coursework. Always confirm program availability directly with the school.
What jobs can Astronomy graduates get in Bozeman?
Astronomy graduates in Bozeman can pursue careers as Astronomer, Research Scientist, Data Analyst. Skills commonly associated with this field include Astrophysics, Telescope Operation, Data Analysis, Computational Modeling. Typical hiring sectors for this field include Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies; verify which of these are active in Bozeman with local job postings. Common employer types nationally include NASA, SpaceX, JPL.
How long to pay off student loans for Astronomy in Bozeman?
With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Astronomy graduates in Bozeman would pay $1,032/month on an estimated $90,904 in loans, with $32,960 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $1,779/month but save $17,145 in interest. With the model's COL-adjusted starting salary estimate of $59,250, monthly payments would represent 21% of gross monthly income.
Data note: Salary, tuition, aid, and cost-of-living figures on this page are DegreeCalc planning estimates, not official values. For official data, check the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, BLS Regional Data, and NCES/IPEDS.
Explore More
Compare Astronomy ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Bozeman.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for Astronomy graduates in Bozeman?
DegreeCalc estimates a starting salary of about $59,250 per year for Astronomy graduates in Bozeman, MT. This is not a measured local wage: the model takes its national starting-salary benchmark for the major ($50,000) and scales it by an estimated local cost of living index of 118.5, so the local estimate is 19% higher than the national benchmark by construction. Check BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for actual local wages.
Is a Astronomy degree worth it in Bozeman?
A Astronomy degree in Bozeman has an estimated ROI payback period of 5.1 years, with a projected lifetime return of $501,596 after subtracting education costs. With 3 local cost benchmark points and estimated public tuition of $7,700/year, Bozeman offers affordable planning assumptions for this degree. The modeled local unemployment rate of 3.2% and the major's national unemployment benchmark of 4.5% should also factor into your decision.
How much does it cost to study Astronomy in Bozeman?
DegreeCalc's planning model estimates public university tuition in Bozeman at about $7,700 per year and private university tuition at about $28,000/year. Including estimated room and board ($15,026/year), modeled 4-year costs range from $90,904 at a public school to $172,104 at a private institution, with estimated average aid of $14,490/year. These are planning estimates; confirm real prices with each school's net price calculator.
Can I study Astronomy online while living in Bozeman?
Astronomy is less commonly offered as a fully online program, so students in Bozeman, MT should verify nearby campus, hybrid, and transfer options before planning around remote coursework. Always confirm program availability directly with the school.
What jobs can Astronomy graduates get in Bozeman?
Astronomy graduates in Bozeman can pursue careers as Astronomer, Research Scientist, Data Analyst. Skills commonly associated with this field include Astrophysics, Telescope Operation, Data Analysis, Computational Modeling. Typical hiring sectors for this field include Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies; verify which of these are active in Bozeman with local job postings. Common employer types nationally include NASA, SpaceX, JPL.
How long to pay off student loans for Astronomy in Bozeman?
With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Astronomy graduates in Bozeman would pay $1,032/month on an estimated $90,904 in loans, with $32,960 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $1,779/month but save $17,145 in interest. With the model's COL-adjusted starting salary estimate of $59,250, monthly payments would represent 21% of gross monthly income.