MSU vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 17,135 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

MSU vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU or Tennessee? 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 Tennessee ($20,142 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 4.6% lower than at Montana State University ($13,356 vs. $14,000).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 63.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU (about $5,352 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $8,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at MSU than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $31 more per year; $33,287.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at Montana State University (94% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University students is 2.9% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($11,763 vs. $11,434).

MSU vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 110 points higher than at MSU (1180).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at MSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montana State University 1065/1285; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montana State University 21/27; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU - Test optional; Tennessee - Required.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at MSU (3.5).
• MSU has a higher acceptance rate (82.1%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at MSU vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

MSU vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU and Tennessee? 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).

• The University of Tennessee Knoxville's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Montana State University's (51%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($20,000 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($206 vs. $248).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 69%)

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.