U of A vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ with Montana State University in Bozeman, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arizona is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 17,135 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); Montana State University is in Bozeman, MT (Remote Town setting).
• University of Arizona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Montana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arizona 20:1; Montana State University 18:1.

U of A vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A 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 University of Arizona than MSU ($19,055 vs. $20,142).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University are 16.4% lower than at University of Arizona ($14,000 vs. $16,746).
• University of Arizona is 64.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU (about $5,466 more per year; $13,926.00 vs. $8,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27% higher at U of A than at Montana State University (about $8,991 more per year; $42,278.00 vs. $33,287.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at Montana State University (95% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arizona students is 17.1% larger than aid received by Montana State University students ($13,776 vs. $11,763).

U of A vs. MSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A 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 U of A.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arizona (1290) is 110 points higher than at MSU (1180).
• Incoming U of A students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at MSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 1150/1420; Montana State University 1065/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 21/29; Montana State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - Test optional; MSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman MSU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at U of A (3.48).
• U of A has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than MSU (82.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at U of A vs. 20.3% at MSU.

U of A vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A 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).

• University of Arizona's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Montana State University's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Arizona earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arizona graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($19,000 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, U of A graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($196 vs. $248).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of A students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 66%)

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.