MSU vs. UW

Comparable Facts

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

Montana State University is larger than UW based on total student enrollment (17,135 students vs. 10,813 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montana State University is located in Bozeman, MT (Remote Town setting); University of Wyoming is in Laramie, WY (Remote Town setting).
• Montana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wyoming is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Montana State University 18:1; University of Wyoming 13:1.

MSU vs. UW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU or UW? 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 University of Wyoming than MSU ($14,872 vs. $20,142).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wyoming are 2.1% lower than at Montana State University ($13,710 vs. $14,000).
• Montana State University is 8.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW (about $692 more per year; $8,460.00 vs. $7,768.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.7% higher at MSU than at University of Wyoming (about $9,109 more per year; $33,287.00 vs. $24,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wyoming than at Montana State University (90% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University students is 15.2% larger than aid received by University of Wyoming students ($11,763 vs. $10,212).

MSU vs. UW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Montana State University (1180) is 40 points higher than at UW (1140).
• Incoming MSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at UW (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montana State University 1065/1285; University of Wyoming 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montana State University 21/27; University of Wyoming 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU - Test optional; UW - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW Aug 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UW students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at MSU (3.5).
• UW has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than MSU (82.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at MSU vs. 23.8% at UW.

MSU vs. UW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU and UW? 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).

• University of Wyoming's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Montana State University's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Wyoming earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,400 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wyoming graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($18,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, UW graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($191 vs. $248).
• More UW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.