Carroll College vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

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

Montana State University is larger than Carroll College based on total student enrollment (17,135 students vs. 1,156 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carroll College is located in Helena, MT (Remote Town setting); Montana State University is in Bozeman, MT (Remote Town setting).
• Carroll College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Montana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carroll College 12:1; Montana State University 18:1.

Carroll College vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carroll College 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 Carroll College ($20,142 vs. $25,575).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carroll College are 17.5% lower than at Montana State University ($11,548 vs. $14,000).
• Carroll College is 390.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU (about $33,024 more per year; $41,484.00 vs. $8,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.6% higher at Carroll College than at Montana State University (about $8,197 more per year; $41,484.00 vs. $33,287.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carroll College than at Montana State University (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carroll College students is 155.5% larger than aid received by Montana State University students ($30,058 vs. $11,763).

Carroll College vs. MSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carroll College 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 Carroll College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carroll College (1180) is the same as at MSU (1180).
• Incoming Carroll College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at MSU (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carroll College 1050/1300; Montana State University 1065/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carroll College 21/27; Montana State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carroll College - Test optional; MSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carroll College Feb 28, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carroll College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at MSU (3.5).
• MSU has a higher acceptance rate (82.1%) than Carroll College (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Carroll College vs. 20.3% at MSU.

Carroll College vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carroll College 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).

• Carroll College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Montana State University's (51%).
• Graduates from Carroll College earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montana State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Carroll College graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MSU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carroll College graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Carroll College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 71%)

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.