MSU Billings vs. University of Great Falls

Should I go to Montana State University Billings or University of Great Falls? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MSU Billings or University of Great Falls 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

RMC Montana State University-Northern MSU
Montana State University Billings vs. University of Great Falls comparison
Montana State University Billings University of Great Falls College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 MSU Billings University of Great Falls
Location Billings, MT Great Falls, MT
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 4,057 955
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website msubillings.edu ugf.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 MSU Billings University of Great Falls
Tuition (In State) $4,620 $27,256
Tuition (Out of State) $18,209 $27,256
Room & Board $8,348 $10,233
Avg Net Price $12,487 $22,318
Avg Grant Aid $5,394 $18,815
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 97%

Admission

 MSU Billings University of Great Falls
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 199
Admitted - 190
Acceptance Rate 95.5%Open
Enrolled % 52.1%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.05 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/22
SAT Range 720/740
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 5, 2025

Academics

 MSU Billings University of Great Falls
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 7:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Education (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Psychology (9%)

Outcomes

 MSU Billings University of Great Falls
Graduation Rate 33% 29%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,800 $36,500
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $180 $258

Diversity

 MSU Billings University of Great Falls
% Men 35% 31%
% Women 65% 69%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 72%
% Black 1% 2%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 4% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 6%

Students

 MSU Billings University of Great Falls
% In-State 86% 49%
% Out-of-State 11% 48%

Campus

 MSU Billings University of Great Falls
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Montana State University Billings is larger than than University of Great Falls based on total student enrollment (4,057 students vs. 955 students)

MSU Billings vs. University of Great Falls Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Billings or University of Great Falls?

  • University of Great Falls is 490% more expensive to attend than MSU Billings for in-state tuition ($27,256.00 vs. $4,620.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 49.7% higher at University of Great Falls than Montana State University Billings ($27,256.00 vs. $18,209.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Montana State University Billings than University of Great Falls ($12,487 vs. $22,318)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University Billings are 22.6% lower than costs at University of Great Falls ($8,348 vs. $10,233)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Montana State University Billings than University of Great Falls (98% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Great Falls students is 248.8% larger than aid received Montana State University Billings ($18,815 vs. $5,394)

Which college is harder to get into, MSU Billings or University of Great Falls? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Great Falls or MSU Billings .

  • Accepted freshman University of Great Falls students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at MSU Billings (3.05)

MSU Billings vs. University of Great Falls Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MSU Billings or University of Great Falls? 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 University of Great Falls and MSU Billings.

  • The graduation rate at MSU Billings is higher than University of Great Falls (33% vs. 29%)
  • Graduates from Montana State University Billings earn on average $1,300 more per year than University of Great Falls graduates after ten years. ($37,800 vs. $36,500)
  • Montana State University Billings students graduate with a $7,500 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Great Falls graduates. ($17,500 vs. $25,000)
  • MSU Billings graduates are paying $78 less per month on federal student loans than University of Great Falls graduates. ($180 vs. $258)
  • More MSU Billings graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Great Falls students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 57%)

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