MSU Billings vs. UW-Eau Claire

Comparable Facts

Compare Montana State University Billings in Billings, MT with University of Wisconsin Eau Claire in Eau Claire, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is larger than MSU Billings based on total student enrollment (10,049 students vs. 4,129 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montana State University Billings is located in Billings, MT (Midsize City setting); University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is in Eau Claire, WI (Small City setting).
• Montana State University Billings is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Montana State University Billings 14:1; University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 19:1.

MSU Billings vs. UW-Eau Claire Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Billings or UW-Eau Claire? 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 Billings than UW-Eau Claire ($15,018 vs. $15,151).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire are 10% lower than at Montana State University Billings ($8,978 vs. $9,980).
• University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is 32.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU Billings (about $2,362 more per year; $9,642.00 vs. $7,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.1% higher at MSU Billings than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (about $3,669 more per year; $22,897.00 vs. $19,228.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University Billings than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (90% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University Billings students is 29.1% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Eau Claire students ($7,313 vs. $5,663).

MSU Billings vs. UW-Eau Claire Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU Billings or UW-Eau Claire? 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 UW-Eau Claire and MSU Billings.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin Eau Claire 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU Billings - Not reported; UW-Eau Claire - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Eau Claire Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UW-Eau Claire students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at MSU Billings (3.05).

MSU Billings vs. UW-Eau Claire Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU Billings and UW-Eau Claire? 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).

• University of Wisconsin Eau Claire's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Montana State University Billings's (33%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than MSU Billings graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,900 vs. $37,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montana State University Billings graduates have a $5,750 lower median loan debt than UW-Eau Claire graduates ($17,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, MSU Billings graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-Eau Claire graduates ($180 vs. $240).
• More UW-Eau Claire graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Billings students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 58%)

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.