Santa Fe College vs. MSU Billings

Comparable Facts

Compare Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL with Montana State University Billings in Billings, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Santa Fe College is larger than MSU Billings based on total student enrollment (12,758 students vs. 4,129 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Santa Fe College is located in Gainesville, FL (Midsize Suburban setting); Montana State University Billings is in Billings, MT (Midsize City setting).
• Santa Fe College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Montana State University Billings is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Fe College 18:1; Montana State University Billings 14:1.

Santa Fe College vs. MSU Billings Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Santa Fe College or MSU Billings? 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 Santa Fe College than MSU Billings ($11,903 vs. $15,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University Billings are 3.7% lower than at Santa Fe College ($9,980 vs. $10,367).
• Montana State University Billings is 184% more expensive for in-state tuition than Santa Fe College (about $4,717 more per year; $7,280.00 vs. $2,563.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 149.2% higher at MSU Billings than at Santa Fe College (about $13,708 more per year; $22,897.00 vs. $9,189.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University Billings than at Santa Fe College (90% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University Billings students is 181.1% larger than aid received by Santa Fe College students ($7,313 vs. $2,602).

Santa Fe College vs. MSU Billings Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Santa Fe College or MSU Billings? 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 MSU Billings and Santa Fe College.

• Santa Fe College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Santa Fe College - Open admission; MSU Billings - Not reported.

Santa Fe College vs. MSU Billings Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Santa Fe College and MSU Billings? 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).

• Graduates from Montana State University Billings earn a median of about $300 more per year than Santa Fe College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,800 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Fe College graduates have a $6,475 lower median loan debt than MSU Billings graduates ($11,025 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, Santa Fe College graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU Billings graduates ($113 vs. $180).
• More MSU Billings graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Santa Fe College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 34%)

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.