Alabama vs. MSU

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

Alabama MSU
Location Tuscaloosa, AL Bozeman, MT
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 38,644 16,681
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #404 #590
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ua.edu montana.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Alabama MSU
Tuition (In State) $11,100 $5,824
Tuition (Out of State) $31,460 $27,391
Room & Board $14,426 $11,300
Avg Net Price $20,592 $17,250
Avg Grant Aid $15,683 $5,749
% Receiving Grant Aid 82% 100%

Admission

Alabama MSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 54,072 28,794
Admitted 43,290 21,116
Acceptance Rate 80.1% 73.3%
Enrolled % 18.6% 17.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.76 3.5
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/31 20/27
SAT Range 1130/1410 1070/1290
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 May 1, 2025

Academics

Alabama MSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (29%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Engineering (12%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Education (7%)

Outcomes

Alabama MSU
Graduation Rate 66% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,900 $45,800
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,750 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $245 $248

Diversity

Alabama MSU
% Men 43% 52%
% Women 57% 48%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 78% 86%
% Black 11% 1%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Alabama MSU
% In-State 35% 35%
% Out-of-State 64% 65%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • The University of Alabama is larger than than MSU based on total student enrollment (38,644 students vs. 16,681 students)

Alabama vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama or MSU?

  • The University of Alabama is 90.6% more expensive to attend than MSU for in-state tuition ($11,100.00 vs. $5,824.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14.9% higher at Alabama than Montana State University ($31,460.00 vs. $27,391.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Montana State University than Alabama ($17,250 vs. $20,592)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University are 27.7% lower than costs at The University of Alabama ($11,300 vs. $14,426)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Montana State University than The University of Alabama (100% vs. 82%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 172.8% larger than aid received Montana State University ($15,683 vs. $5,749)

Alabama vs. MSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at The University of Alabama (1181) is 50 points higher than at MSU (1131)
  • Incoming Alabama students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at MSU (25)
  • Accepted freshman Alabama students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at MSU (3.5)
  • Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (80.1%) than MSU (73.3%)

Alabama vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Alabama is higher than Montana State University (66% vs. 51%)
  • Graduates from The University of Alabama earn on average $4,100 more per year than MSU graduates after ten years. ($49,900 vs. $45,800)
  • The University of Alabama students graduate with a $250 lower median federal student loan debt than MSU graduates. ($23,750 vs. $24,000)
  • Alabama graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than MSU graduates. ($245 vs. $248)
  • More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 59%)

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