ISU vs. MSU Billings

Comparable Facts

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

Idaho State University is larger than MSU Billings based on total student enrollment (13,061 students vs. 4,129 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ISU vs. MSU Billings Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU 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 Idaho State University than MSU Billings ($12,174 vs. $15,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 21% lower than at Montana State University Billings ($7,882 vs. $9,980).
• Idaho State University is 18.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU Billings (about $1,330 more per year; $8,610.00 vs. $7,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.1% higher at ISU than at Montana State University Billings (about $4,823 more per year; $27,720.00 vs. $22,897.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Idaho State University than at Montana State University Billings (91% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Idaho State University students is 26% larger than aid received by Montana State University Billings students ($9,217 vs. $7,313).

ISU vs. MSU Billings Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU 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 ISU.

• Idaho State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Open admission; MSU Billings - Not reported.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at MSU Billings (3.05).

ISU vs. MSU Billings Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU 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 Idaho State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Idaho State University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than MSU Billings graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $37,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montana State University Billings graduates have a $5,450 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($17,500 vs. $22,950).
• Among borrowers, MSU Billings graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($180 vs. $237).
• More MSU Billings graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 47%)

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.