DSC vs. MSU Billings

Comparable Facts

Compare Dalton State College in Dalton, GA with Montana State University Billings in Billings, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dalton State College is larger than MSU Billings based on total student enrollment (5,135 students vs. 4,129 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Montana State University Billings is in Billings, MT (Midsize City setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Montana State University Billings is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Montana State University Billings 14:1.

DSC vs. MSU Billings Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC or MSU Billings? 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 Dalton State College than MSU Billings ($5,625 vs. $15,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University Billings are 4.2% lower than at Dalton State College ($9,980 vs. $10,419).
• Montana State University Billings is 118.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $3,944 more per year; $7,280.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 114.9% higher at MSU Billings than at Dalton State College (about $12,241 more per year; $22,897.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dalton State College than at Montana State University Billings (92% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University Billings students is 9.9% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($7,313 vs. $6,654).

DSC vs. MSU Billings Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSC or MSU Billings? 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 Billings and DSC.

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; MSU Billings - Not reported.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DSC students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at MSU Billings (3.05).

DSC vs. MSU Billings Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC and MSU Billings? 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 Billings's six-year graduation rate (33%) is higher than Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from Montana State University Billings earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than DSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,800 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $2,613 lower median loan debt than MSU Billings graduates ($14,887 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU Billings graduates ($153 vs. $180).
• More MSU Billings graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DSC students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 42%)

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.