MSU vs. University of Nevada-Reno

Should I go to Montana State University or University of Nevada Reno? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MSU or University of Nevada-Reno is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Montana State University vs. University of Nevada Reno comparison
Montana State University University of Nevada Reno College 3 College 4
Montana State University University of Nevada Reno
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Overview

MSU University of Nevada-Reno
Location Bozeman, MT Reno, NV
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 16,960 21,778
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #658 #400
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website montana.edu unr.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

MSU University of Nevada-Reno
Tuition (In State) $6,056 $7,876
Tuition (Out of State) $29,047 $24,832
Room & Board $13,446 $13,700
Avg Net Price $18,511 $16,801
Avg Grant Aid $9,967 $6,658
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 92%

Admission

MSU University of Nevada-Reno
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 21,975 10,142
Admitted 19,081 8,652
Acceptance Rate 86.8% 85.3%
Enrolled % 19% 39.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.4
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 20/26
SAT Range 1060/1270 1060/1270
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Apr 7, 2025

Academics

MSU University of Nevada-Reno
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (12%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Education (7%)

Outcomes

MSU University of Nevada-Reno
Graduation Rate 51% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,800 $53,400
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $18,801
Median Loan Payment $248 $194

Diversity

MSU University of Nevada-Reno
% Men 5% 7%
% Women 7% 11%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 86% 60%
% Black 1% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 19%
% Native American 2% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 6%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

MSU University of Nevada-Reno
% In-State 36% 75%
% Out-of-State 64% 24%

Campus

MSU University of Nevada-Reno
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Nevada Reno is larger than than MSU based on total student enrollment (21,778 students vs. 16,960 students)

MSU vs. University of Nevada-Reno Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU or University of Nevada-Reno?

  • University of Nevada Reno is 30.1% more expensive to attend than MSU for in-state tuition ($7,876.00 vs. $6,056.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17% higher at MSU than University of Nevada Reno ($29,047.00 vs. $24,832.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Nevada Reno than MSU ($16,801 vs. $18,511)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University are 1.9% lower than costs at University of Nevada Reno ($13,446 vs. $13,700)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Nevada Reno than Montana State University (92% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University students is 49.7% larger than aid received University of Nevada Reno ($9,967 vs. $6,658)

MSU vs. University of Nevada-Reno Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU or University of Nevada-Reno? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Nevada-Reno or MSU .

  • The average SAT score at Montana State University (1131) is 47 points higher than at University of Nevada-Reno (1084)
  • Incoming MSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at University of Nevada-Reno (24)
  • Accepted freshman MSU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at University of Nevada-Reno (3.4)
  • MSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.8%) than University of Nevada-Reno (85.3%)

MSU vs. University of Nevada-Reno Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MSU or University of Nevada-Reno? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between University of Nevada-Reno and MSU.

  • The graduation rate at MSU is the same as at University of Nevada Reno (51% vs. 51%)
  • Graduates from University of Nevada Reno earn on average $7,600 more per year than MSU graduates after ten years. ($53,400 vs. $45,800)
  • University of Nevada Reno students graduate with a $5,199 lower median federal student loan debt than MSU graduates. ($18,801 vs. $24,000)
  • University of Nevada-Reno graduates are paying $54 less per month on federal student loans than MSU graduates. ($194 vs. $248)
  • More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Nevada-Reno students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/