Colorado State vs. The University of Montana

Should I go to Colorado State University Fort Collins or The University of Montana? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Colorado State or The University of Montana is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Colorado State University Fort Collins vs. The University of Montana comparison
Colorado State University Fort Collins The University of Montana College 3 College 4
Colorado State University Fort Collins The University of Montana
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Overview

Colorado State The University of Montana
Location Fort Collins, CO Missoula, MT
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 33,403 9,955
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #359 #724
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colostate.edu umt.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Colorado State The University of Montana
Tuition (In State) $10,218 $5,515
Tuition (Out of State) $30,078 $27,168
Room & Board $13,728 $11,608
Avg Net Price $16,926 $16,361
Avg Grant Aid $10,727 $5,645
% Receiving Grant Aid 74% 100%

Admission

Colorado State The University of Montana
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 33,122 8,943
Admitted 30,066 8,530
Acceptance Rate 90.8% 95.4%
Enrolled % 18.5% 19%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 18/26
SAT Range 1080/1290 1070/1280
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2025 Aug 18, 2025

Academics

Colorado State The University of Montana
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (10%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

Colorado State The University of Montana
Graduation Rate 64% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,800 $41,000
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,004 $23,183
Median Loan Payment $217 $239

Diversity

Colorado State The University of Montana
% Men 45% 40%
% Women 55% 60%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 79%
% Black 2% 1%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 1% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 5%

Students

Colorado State The University of Montana
% In-State 59% 55%
% Out-of-State 40% 44%

Campus

Colorado State The University of Montana
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than than The University of Montana based on total student enrollment (33,403 students vs. 9,955 students)

Colorado State vs. The University of Montana Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or The University of Montana?

  • Colorado State University Fort Collins is 85.3% more expensive to attend than The University of Montana for in-state tuition ($10,218.00 vs. $5,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 10.7% higher at Colorado State than The University of Montana ($30,078.00 vs. $27,168.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Montana than Colorado State ($16,361 vs. $16,926)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Montana are 18.3% lower than costs at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($11,608 vs. $13,728)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at The University of Montana than Colorado State University Fort Collins (100% vs. 74%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students is 90% larger than aid received The University of Montana ($10,727 vs. $5,645)

Colorado State vs. The University of Montana Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado State or The University of Montana? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between The University of Montana or Colorado State .

  • The average SAT score at Colorado State University Fort Collins (1145) is 55 points higher than at The University of Montana (1090)
  • Incoming Colorado State students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at The University of Montana (24)
  • Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at The University of Montana (3.36)
  • The University of Montana has a higher acceptance rate (95.4%) than Colorado State (90.8%)

Colorado State vs. The University of Montana Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Colorado State or The University of Montana? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between The University of Montana and Colorado State.

  • The graduation rate at Colorado State is higher than The University of Montana (64% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn on average $10,800 more per year than The University of Montana graduates after ten years. ($51,800 vs. $41,000)
  • Colorado State University Fort Collins students graduate with a $2,179 lower median federal student loan debt than The University of Montana graduates. ($21,004 vs. $23,183)
  • Colorado State graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than The University of Montana graduates. ($217 vs. $239)
  • More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Montana students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/