MSU vs. VCU

Should I go to Montana State University or Virginia Commonwealth University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MSU or VCU 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. Virginia Commonwealth University comparison
Montana State University Virginia Commonwealth University College 3 College 4
Montana State University Virginia Commonwealth University
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Overview

MSU VCU
Location Bozeman, MT Richmond, VA
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 16,681 28,082
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #590 #442
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website montana.edu vcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

MSU VCU
Tuition (In State) $5,824 $12,458
Tuition (Out of State) $27,391 $33,726
Room & Board $11,300 $12,279
Avg Net Price $17,250 $21,294
Avg Grant Aid $5,749 $12,583
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 83%

Admission

MSU VCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 28,794 18,242
Admitted 21,116 16,600
Acceptance Rate 73.3% 91%
Enrolled % 17.8% 25.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.75
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/27 22/30
SAT Range 1070/1290 1030/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 18, 2025

Academics

MSU VCU
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 (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)

Outcomes

MSU VCU
Graduation Rate 51% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,800 $47,500
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $248 $240

Diversity

MSU VCU
% Men 52% 36%
% Women 48% 64%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 86% 50%
% Black 1% 18%
% Hispanic 4% 8%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 6%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

MSU VCU
% In-State 35% 92%
% Out-of-State 65% 6%

Campus

MSU VCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than than MSU based on total student enrollment (28,082 students vs. 16,681 students)

MSU vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU or VCU?

  • Virginia Commonwealth University is 113.9% more expensive to attend than MSU for in-state tuition ($12,458.00 vs. $5,824.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.1% higher at VCU than Montana State University ($33,726.00 vs. $27,391.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Montana State University than VCU ($17,250 vs. $21,294)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University are 8.7% lower than costs at Virginia Commonwealth University ($11,300 vs. $12,279)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Montana State University than Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 118.9% larger than aid received Montana State University ($12,583 vs. $5,749)

MSU vs. VCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Montana State University (1131) is 34 points higher than at VCU (1097)
  • Incoming MSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at VCU (24)
  • Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at MSU (3.5)
  • VCU has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than MSU (73.3%)

MSU vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MSU or VCU? 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 VCU and MSU.

  • The graduation rate at VCU is higher than Montana State University (53% vs. 51%)
  • Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn on average $1,700 more per year than MSU graduates after ten years. ($47,500 vs. $45,800)
  • Virginia Commonwealth University students graduate with a $750 lower median federal student loan debt than MSU graduates. ($23,250 vs. $24,000)
  • VCU graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than MSU graduates. ($240 vs. $248)
  • More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 56%)

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