C of I vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

Compare The College of Idaho in Caldwell, ID with Montana State University in Bozeman, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Montana State University is larger than C of I based on total student enrollment (17,135 students vs. 1,090 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of Idaho is located in Caldwell, ID (Small Suburban setting); Montana State University is in Bozeman, MT (Remote Town setting).
• The College of Idaho is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Montana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of Idaho 10:1; Montana State University 18:1.

C of I vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, C of I or MSU? 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 Montana State University than C of I ($20,142 vs. $21,686).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of Idaho are 8.8% lower than at Montana State University ($12,773 vs. $14,000).
• The College of Idaho is 347.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU (about $29,385 more per year; $37,845.00 vs. $8,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.7% higher at C of I than at Montana State University (about $4,558 more per year; $37,845.00 vs. $33,287.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The College of Idaho than at Montana State University (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of Idaho students is 147.5% larger than aid received by Montana State University students ($29,110 vs. $11,763).

C of I vs. MSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, C of I or MSU? 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 and C of I.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of Idaho (1180) is the same as at MSU (1180).
• Incoming C of I students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at MSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of Idaho 1070/1280; Montana State University 1065/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of Idaho 23/31; Montana State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: C of I - Test optional; MSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: C of I Feb 15, 2027.
• MSU has a higher acceptance rate (82.1%) than C of I (49.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at C of I vs. 20.3% at MSU.

C of I vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for C of I and MSU? 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).

• The College of Idaho's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Montana State University's (51%).
• Graduates from Montana State University earn a median of about $100 more per year than C of I graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montana State University graduates have a $1,995 lower median loan debt than C of I graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,995).
• Among borrowers, MSU graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than C of I graduates ($248 vs. $268).
• More C of I graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.