MSU vs. Gonzaga

Deciding between Montana State University and Gonzaga University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Montana State University
Gonzaga University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • MSU Bozeman, MT
  • Gonzaga Spokane, WA
  • Setting
  • MSU Remote Town
  • Gonzaga Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • MSU 17,135
  • Gonzaga 7,470
  • Type
  • MSU Public 4 Year
  • Gonzaga Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • MSU #620
  • Gonzaga #180
  • Religious Affiliation
  • MSU -
  • Gonzaga Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • MSU Non-profit
  • Gonzaga Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • MSU
  • Gonzaga

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • MSU $8,460
  • Gonzaga $55,480
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • MSU $33,287
  • Gonzaga $55,480
  • Room & Board
  • MSU $14,000
  • Gonzaga $15,730
  • Average Net Price
  • MSU $20,142
  • Gonzaga $40,117
  • Average Grant Aid
  • MSU $11,763
  • Gonzaga $33,390
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • MSU 83%
  • Gonzaga 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • MSU 21,652
  • Gonzaga 8,759
  • Admitted
  • MSU 17,786
  • Gonzaga 7,155
  • Acceptance Rate
  • MSU 82.1%
  • Gonzaga 81.7%
  • Enrolled
  • MSU 20.3%
  • Gonzaga 17.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • MSU 1180
  • Gonzaga 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • MSU 24
  • Gonzaga 29
  • Average High School GPA
  • MSU 3.5
  • Gonzaga 3.67
  • Typical High School Grades
  • MSU A-
  • Gonzaga A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • MSU Average
  • Gonzaga Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • MSU
  • Gonzaga
  • ACT Range
  • MSU 21/27
  • Gonzaga 27/31
  • SAT Range
  • MSU 1065/1285
  • Gonzaga 1190/1380
  • Submit Test Scores
  • MSU Test optional
  • Gonzaga Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • MSU
  • Gonzaga Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • MSU 18:1
  • Gonzaga 12:1
  • Popular Majors
  • MSU
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Education (7%)
  • Gonzaga
    • Business (29%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • MSU 51%
  • Gonzaga 83%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • MSU $45,800
  • Gonzaga $61,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • MSU 71%
  • Gonzaga 86%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • MSU $24,000
  • Gonzaga $26,394
  • Median Loan Payment
  • MSU $248
  • Gonzaga $272

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • MSU 52%
  • Gonzaga 44%
  • % Women
  • MSU 48%
  • Gonzaga 56%
  • Racial Diversity
  • MSU Very Low
  • Gonzaga Low
  • HBCU
  • MSU No
  • Gonzaga No
  • % White
  • MSU 86%
  • Gonzaga 72%
  • % Asian
  • MSU 1%
  • Gonzaga 5%
  • % Black
  • MSU 1%
  • Gonzaga 1%
  • % Hispanic
  • MSU 4%
  • Gonzaga 10%
  • % Native American
  • MSU 2%
  • Gonzaga 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • MSU 0%
  • Gonzaga 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • MSU 3%
  • Gonzaga 6%
  • % International
  • MSU 3%
  • Gonzaga 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • MSU 1%
  • Gonzaga 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • MSU 39%
  • Gonzaga 51%
  • % Out-of-State
  • MSU 61%
  • Gonzaga 48%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • MSU Yes
  • Gonzaga Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • MSU No
  • Gonzaga No
  • Meal Plan
  • MSU Yes
  • Gonzaga Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • MSU No
  • Gonzaga No
  • Daycare Facility
  • MSU Yes
  • Gonzaga No

Comparable Facts

Compare Montana State University in Bozeman, MT with Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Montana State University is larger than Gonzaga based on total student enrollment (17,135 students vs. 7,470 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Montana State University is located in Bozeman, MT (Remote Town setting); Gonzaga University is in Spokane, WA (Midsize City setting).
  • Montana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Gonzaga University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Montana State University 18:1; Gonzaga University 12:1.

MSU vs. Gonzaga Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU or Gonzaga? 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 than Gonzaga ($20,142 vs. $40,117).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University are 11% lower than at Gonzaga University ($14,000 vs. $15,730).
  • Gonzaga University is 555.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU (about $47,020 more per year; $55,480.00 vs. $8,460.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 66.7% higher at Gonzaga than at Montana State University (about $22,193 more per year; $55,480.00 vs. $33,287.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gonzaga University than at Montana State University (100% vs. 83%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Gonzaga University students is 183.9% larger than aid received by Montana State University students ($33,390 vs. $11,763).

MSU vs. Gonzaga Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gonzaga University (1290) is 110 points higher than at MSU (1180).
  • Incoming Gonzaga students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at MSU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montana State University 1065/1285; Gonzaga University 1190/1380.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montana State University 21/27; Gonzaga University 27/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU - Test optional; Gonzaga - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Gonzaga Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Gonzaga students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at MSU (3.5).
  • MSU has a higher acceptance rate (82.1%) than Gonzaga (81.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at MSU vs. 17.5% at Gonzaga.

MSU vs. Gonzaga Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU and Gonzaga? 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).

  • Gonzaga University's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than Montana State University's (51%).
  • Graduates from Gonzaga University earn a median of about $15,800 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,600 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Montana State University graduates have a $2,394 lower median loan debt than Gonzaga graduates ($24,000 vs. $26,394).
  • Among borrowers, MSU graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gonzaga graduates ($248 vs. $272).
  • More Gonzaga graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 71%)

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.