MSU vs. RMC

Deciding between Montana State University and Rocky Mountain College? 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
Rocky Mountain College

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • MSU Bozeman, MT
  • RMC Billings, MT
  • Setting
  • MSU Remote Town
  • RMC Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • MSU 17,135
  • RMC 1,032
  • Type
  • MSU Public 4 Year
  • RMC Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • MSU #620
  • RMC #709
  • Religious Affiliation
  • MSU -
  • RMC United Church of Christ
  • Status
  • MSU Non-profit
  • RMC Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • MSU
  • RMC

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • MSU $8,460
  • RMC $35,582
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • MSU $33,287
  • RMC $35,582
  • Room & Board
  • MSU $14,000
  • RMC $10,152
  • Average Net Price
  • MSU $20,142
  • RMC $20,791
  • Average Grant Aid
  • MSU $11,763
  • RMC $25,508
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • MSU 83%
  • RMC 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • MSU 21,652
  • RMC 1,405
  • Admitted
  • MSU 17,786
  • RMC 978
  • Acceptance Rate
  • MSU 82.1%
  • RMC 69.6%
  • Enrolled
  • MSU 20.3%
  • RMC 28.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • MSU 1180
  • RMC 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • MSU 24
  • RMC 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • MSU 3.5
  • RMC 3.42
  • Typical High School Grades
  • MSU A-
  • RMC B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • MSU Average
  • RMC Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • MSU
  • RMC Low
  • ACT Range
  • MSU 21/27
  • RMC 18/24
  • SAT Range
  • MSU 1065/1285
  • RMC 893/1133
  • Submit Test Scores
  • MSU Test optional
  • RMC Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • MSU
  • RMC

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • MSU 18:1
  • RMC 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • MSU
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Education (7%)
  • RMC
    • Business (17%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Transportation and Materials Moving (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • MSU 51%
  • RMC 50%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • MSU $45,800
  • RMC $46,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • MSU 71%
  • RMC 66%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • MSU $24,000
  • RMC $26,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • MSU $248
  • RMC $268

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • MSU 52%
  • RMC 50%
  • % Women
  • MSU 48%
  • RMC 50%
  • Racial Diversity
  • MSU Very Low
  • RMC Low
  • HBCU
  • MSU No
  • RMC No
  • % White
  • MSU 86%
  • RMC 78%
  • % Asian
  • MSU 1%
  • RMC 1%
  • % Black
  • MSU 1%
  • RMC 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • MSU 4%
  • RMC 6%
  • % Native American
  • MSU 2%
  • RMC 2%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • MSU 0%
  • RMC 1%
  • % Two or More Races
  • MSU 3%
  • RMC 4%
  • % International
  • MSU 3%
  • RMC 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • MSU 1%
  • RMC 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • MSU 39%
  • RMC 50%
  • % Out-of-State
  • MSU 61%
  • RMC 43%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Montana State University is larger than RMC based on total student enrollment (17,135 students vs. 1,032 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Montana State University is located in Bozeman, MT (Remote Town setting); Rocky Mountain College is in Billings, MT (Midsize City setting).
  • Montana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rocky Mountain College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Montana State University 18:1; Rocky Mountain College 14:1.

MSU vs. RMC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU or RMC? 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 RMC ($20,142 vs. $20,791).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rocky Mountain College are 27.5% lower than at Montana State University ($10,152 vs. $14,000).
  • Rocky Mountain College is 320.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU (about $27,122 more per year; $35,582.00 vs. $8,460.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.9% higher at RMC than at Montana State University (about $2,295 more per year; $35,582.00 vs. $33,287.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rocky Mountain College than at Montana State University (100% vs. 83%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rocky Mountain College students is 116.8% larger than aid received by Montana State University students ($25,508 vs. $11,763).

MSU vs. RMC Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Montana State University (1180) is 170 points higher than at RMC (1010).
  • Incoming MSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at RMC).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montana State University 1065/1285; Rocky Mountain College 893/1133.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montana State University 21/27; Rocky Mountain College 18/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU - Test optional; RMC - Test optional.
  • Accepted freshman MSU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at RMC (3.42).
  • MSU has a higher acceptance rate (82.1%) than RMC (69.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at MSU vs. 28.6% at RMC.

MSU vs. RMC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU and RMC? 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's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Rocky Mountain College's (50%).
  • Graduates from Rocky Mountain College earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Montana State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than RMC graduates ($24,000 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, MSU graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RMC graduates ($248 vs. $268).
  • More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RMC students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 66%)

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.