Boise State vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Boise State University in Boise, ID with Montana State University in Bozeman, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Boise State University is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (27,198 students vs. 17,135 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boise State University is located in Boise, ID (Midsize City setting); Montana State University is in Bozeman, MT (Remote Town setting).
• Boise State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Montana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boise State University 20:1; Montana State University 18:1.

Boise State vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Boise State or MSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Montana State University than Boise State ($20,142 vs. $21,583).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University are 5.9% lower than at Boise State University ($14,000 vs. $14,884).
• Boise State University is 7% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU (about $588 more per year; $9,048.00 vs. $8,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.8% higher at MSU than at Boise State University (about $5,499 more per year; $33,287.00 vs. $27,788.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University than at Boise State University (83% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University students is 23.7% larger than aid received by Boise State University students ($11,763 vs. $9,507).

Boise State vs. MSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Boise State or MSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MSU and Boise State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Montana State University (1180) is 60 points higher than at Boise State (1120).
• Incoming MSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Boise State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boise State University 1030/1210; Montana State University 1065/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boise State University 21/26; Montana State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Boise State - Test-free; MSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Boise State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Boise State (3.37).
• Boise State has a higher acceptance rate (87.2%) than MSU (82.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Boise State vs. 20.3% at MSU.

Boise State vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Boise State and MSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Montana State University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Boise State University's (29%).
• Graduates from Montana State University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Boise State graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Boise State University graduates have a $1,071 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($22,929 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Boise State graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($237 vs. $248).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Boise State students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.