MSU vs. Queens College

Comparable Facts

Compare Montana State University in Bozeman, MT with CUNY Queens College in Queens, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Montana State University is larger than Queens College based on total student enrollment (17,135 students vs. 15,965 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montana State University is located in Bozeman, MT (Remote Town setting); CUNY Queens College is in Queens, NY (Large City setting).
• Montana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. CUNY Queens College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Montana State University 18:1; CUNY Queens College 13:1.

MSU vs. Queens College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU or Queens College? 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 CUNY Queens College than MSU ($5,728 vs. $20,142).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University are 18.3% lower than at CUNY Queens College ($14,000 vs. $17,132).
• Montana State University is 12.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Queens College (about $922 more per year; $8,460.00 vs. $7,538.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 114.9% higher at MSU than at CUNY Queens College (about $17,799 more per year; $33,287.00 vs. $15,488.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University than at CUNY Queens College (83% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University students is 29.9% larger than aid received by CUNY Queens College students ($11,763 vs. $9,057).

MSU vs. Queens College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU or Queens College? 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 Queens College and MSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Montana State University (1180) is 30 points higher than at Queens College (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montana State University 1065/1285; CUNY Queens College 1010/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montana State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU - Test optional; Queens College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman MSU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Queens College (3.0).
• MSU has a higher acceptance rate (82.1%) than Queens College (64.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at MSU vs. 12.3% at Queens College.

MSU vs. Queens College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU and Queens College? 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).

• CUNY Queens College's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Montana State University's (51%).
• Graduates from CUNY Queens College earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,800 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Queens College graduates have a $13,000 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($11,000 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Queens College graduates have an estimated $135 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($113 vs. $248).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Queens College students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 56%)

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.