MSU vs. The University of Montana

Comparable Facts

Compare Montana State University in Bozeman, MT with The University of Montana in Missoula, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Montana State University is larger than The University of Montana based on total student enrollment (17,135 students vs. 10,811 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montana State University is located in Bozeman, MT (Remote Town setting); The University of Montana is in Missoula, MT (Small City setting).
• Montana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Montana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Montana State University 18:1; The University of Montana 17:1.

MSU vs. The University of Montana Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU or The University of Montana? 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 The University of Montana than MSU ($17,370 vs. $20,142).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Montana are 8.5% lower than at Montana State University ($12,804 vs. $14,000).
• The University of Montana is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU (about $92 more per year; $8,552.00 vs. $8,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at The University of Montana than at Montana State University (about $384 more per year; $33,671.00 vs. $33,287.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University as at The University of Montana (83% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University students is 20% larger than aid received by The University of Montana students ($11,763 vs. $9,799).

MSU vs. The University of Montana Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU or The University of Montana? 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 The University of Montana and MSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Montana State University (1180) is the same as at The University of Montana (1180).
• Incoming MSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at The University of Montana).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montana State University 1065/1285; The University of Montana 1070/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montana State University 21/27; The University of Montana 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU - Test optional; The University of Montana - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Montana Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MSU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at The University of Montana (3.36).
• The University of Montana has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than MSU (82.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at MSU vs. 19.3% at The University of Montana.

MSU vs. The University of Montana Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU and The University of Montana? 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 The University of Montana's (47%).
• Graduates from Montana State University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than The University of Montana graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Montana graduates have a $817 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($23,183 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, The University of Montana graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($239 vs. $248).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Montana students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 59%)

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.