Boise State vs. The University of Montana

Deciding between Boise State University and The University of Montana? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Boise State University
The University of Montana

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Boise State Boise, ID
  • The University of Montana Missoula, MT
  • Setting
  • Boise State Midsize City
  • The University of Montana Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Boise State 27,198
  • The University of Montana 10,811
  • Type
  • Boise State Public 4 Year
  • The University of Montana Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Boise State #900
  • The University of Montana #754
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Boise State -
  • The University of Montana -
  • Status
  • Boise State Non-profit
  • The University of Montana Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Boise State
  • The University of Montana
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Boise State $9,048
  • The University of Montana $8,552
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Boise State $27,788
  • The University of Montana $33,671
  • Room & Board
  • Boise State $14,884
  • The University of Montana $12,804
  • Average Net Price
  • Boise State $21,583
  • The University of Montana $17,370
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Boise State $9,507
  • The University of Montana $9,799
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Boise State 76%
  • The University of Montana 83%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Boise State 16,082
  • The University of Montana 9,576
  • Admitted
  • Boise State 14,025
  • The University of Montana 9,180
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Boise State 87.2%
  • The University of Montana 95.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Boise State 24.1%
  • The University of Montana 19.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Boise State 1120
  • The University of Montana 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Boise State 23
  • The University of Montana 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Boise State 3.37
  • The University of Montana 3.36
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Boise State B+
  • The University of Montana B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Boise State Moderate
  • The University of Montana Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • Boise State
  • The University of Montana
  • ACT Range
  • Boise State 21/26
  • The University of Montana 18/26
  • SAT Range
  • Boise State 1030/1210
  • The University of Montana 1070/1280
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Boise State Test-free
  • The University of Montana Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Boise State Aug 1, 2027
  • The University of Montana Aug 18, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Boise State 20:1
  • The University of Montana 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Boise State
    • Business (21%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • The University of Montana
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Boise State 29%
  • The University of Montana 47%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Boise State $41,600
  • The University of Montana $41,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Boise State 54%
  • The University of Montana 59%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Boise State $22,929
  • The University of Montana $23,183
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Boise State $237
  • The University of Montana $239
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Boise State 43%
  • The University of Montana 39%
  • % Women
  • Boise State 57%
  • The University of Montana 61%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Boise State Low
  • The University of Montana Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Boise State No
  • The University of Montana No
  • % White
  • Boise State 74%
  • The University of Montana 79%
  • % Asian
  • Boise State 2%
  • The University of Montana 1%
  • % Black
  • Boise State 2%
  • The University of Montana 1%
  • % Hispanic
  • Boise State 11%
  • The University of Montana 4%
  • % Native American
  • Boise State 1%
  • The University of Montana 3%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Boise State 0%
  • The University of Montana 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Boise State 4%
  • The University of Montana 4%
  • % International
  • Boise State 5%
  • The University of Montana 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Boise State 2%
  • The University of Montana 5%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Boise State 64%
  • The University of Montana 59%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Boise State 35%
  • The University of Montana 39%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Boise State Yes
  • The University of Montana Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Boise State No
  • The University of Montana No
  • Meal Plan
  • Boise State Yes
  • The University of Montana Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Boise State Yes
  • The University of Montana No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Boise State Yes
  • The University of Montana Yes

Comparable Facts

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

Boise State University is larger than The University of Montana based on total student enrollment (27,198 students vs. 10,811 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Boise State University is located in Boise, ID (Midsize City setting); The University of Montana is in Missoula, MT (Small City setting).
  • Boise State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Montana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Boise State University 20:1; The University of Montana 17:1.

Boise State vs. The University of Montana Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Boise State or The University of Montana? 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 The University of Montana than Boise State ($17,370 vs. $21,583).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Montana are 14% lower than at Boise State University ($12,804 vs. $14,884).
  • Boise State University is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Montana (about $496 more per year; $9,048.00 vs. $8,552.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 21.2% higher at The University of Montana than at Boise State University (about $5,883 more per year; $33,671.00 vs. $27,788.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Montana than at Boise State University (83% vs. 76%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Montana students is 3.1% larger than aid received by Boise State University students ($9,799 vs. $9,507).

Boise State vs. The University of Montana Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Boise State or The University of Montana? 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 The University of Montana and Boise State.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Montana (1180) is 60 points higher than at Boise State (1120).
  • Incoming Boise State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at The University of Montana).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boise State University 1030/1210; The University of Montana 1070/1280.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boise State University 21/26; The University of Montana 18/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Boise State - Test-free; The University of Montana - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Boise State Aug 1, 2027; The University of Montana Aug 18, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Boise State students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at The University of Montana (3.36).
  • The University of Montana has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Boise State (87.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Boise State vs. 19.3% at The University of Montana.

Boise State vs. The University of Montana Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Boise State and The University of Montana? 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).

  • The University of Montana's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Boise State University's (29%).
  • Graduates from Boise State University earn a median of about $600 more per year than The University of Montana graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Boise State University graduates have a $254 lower median loan debt than The University of Montana graduates ($22,929 vs. $23,183).
  • Among borrowers, Boise State graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The University of Montana graduates ($237 vs. $239).
  • More The University of Montana graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Boise State students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.