MSU vs. WCU

Deciding between Montana State University and Western Carolina University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Montana State University
Western Carolina University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • MSU Bozeman, MT
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • MSU Remote Town
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • MSU 17,135
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • MSU Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • MSU #620
  • WCU #698
  • Religious Affiliation
  • MSU -
  • WCU -
  • Status
  • MSU Non-profit
  • WCU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • MSU
  • WCU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • MSU $8,460
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • MSU $33,287
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & Board
  • MSU $14,000
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average Net Price
  • MSU $20,142
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average Grant Aid
  • MSU $11,763
  • WCU $5,993
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • MSU 83%
  • WCU 81%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • MSU 21,652
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • MSU 17,786
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance Rate
  • MSU 82.1%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Enrolled
  • MSU 20.3%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • MSU 1180
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • MSU 24
  • WCU 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • MSU 3.5
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical High School Grades
  • MSU A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • MSU Average
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • MSU
  • WCU
  • ACT Range
  • MSU 21/27
  • WCU 19/25
  • SAT Range
  • MSU 1065/1285
  • WCU 1080/1270
  • Submit Test Scores
  • MSU Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • MSU
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • MSU 18:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • MSU
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Education (7%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • MSU 51%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • MSU $45,800
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • MSU 71%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • MSU $24,000
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median Loan Payment
  • MSU $248
  • WCU $227

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • MSU 52%
  • WCU 41%
  • % Women
  • MSU 48%
  • WCU 59%
  • Racial Diversity
  • MSU Very Low
  • WCU Low
  • HBCU
  • MSU No
  • WCU No
  • % White
  • MSU 86%
  • WCU 79%
  • % Asian
  • MSU 1%
  • WCU 1%
  • % Black
  • MSU 1%
  • WCU 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • MSU 4%
  • WCU 6%
  • % Native American
  • MSU 2%
  • WCU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • MSU 0%
  • WCU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • MSU 3%
  • WCU 4%
  • % International
  • MSU 3%
  • WCU 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • MSU 1%
  • WCU 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • MSU 39%
  • WCU 75%
  • % Out-of-State
  • MSU 61%
  • WCU 22%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • MSU Yes
  • WCU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • MSU No
  • WCU No
  • Meal Plan
  • MSU Yes
  • WCU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • MSU No
  • WCU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • MSU Yes
  • WCU Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Montana State University in Bozeman, MT with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Montana State University is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (17,135 students vs. 11,686 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Montana State University is located in Bozeman, MT (Remote Town setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Montana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Montana State University 18:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

MSU vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU or WCU? 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 Western Carolina University than MSU ($13,767 vs. $20,142).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 11.8% lower than at Montana State University ($12,354 vs. $14,000).
  • Montana State University is 82.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $3,830 more per year; $8,460.00 vs. $4,630.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 285.7% higher at MSU than at Western Carolina University (about $24,657 more per year; $33,287.00 vs. $8,630.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University than at Western Carolina University (83% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University students is 96.3% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($11,763 vs. $5,993).

MSU vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Montana State University (1180) is the same as at WCU (1180).
  • Incoming MSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at WCU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montana State University 1065/1285; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montana State University 21/27; Western Carolina University 19/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman MSU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at WCU (3.44).
  • MSU has a higher acceptance rate (82.1%) than WCU (81.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at MSU vs. 12.7% at WCU.

MSU vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU and WCU? 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 Western Carolina University's (50%).
  • Graduates from Montana State University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $1,990 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($22,010 vs. $24,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($227 vs. $248).
  • More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 58%)

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.