Idaho vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Idaho in Moscow, 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 Idaho based on total student enrollment (17,135 students vs. 12,286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Idaho is located in Moscow, ID (Rural Fringe setting); Montana State University is in Bozeman, MT (Remote Town setting).
• University of Idaho 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 Idaho 18:1; Montana State University 18:1.

Idaho vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Idaho 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 Idaho than MSU ($15,111 vs. $20,142).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Idaho are 19.7% lower than at Montana State University ($11,243 vs. $14,000).
• University of Idaho is 7.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU (about $624 more per year; $9,084.00 vs. $8,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.5% higher at MSU than at University of Idaho (about $4,967 more per year; $33,287.00 vs. $28,320.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Idaho than at Montana State University (96% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Idaho students is 6.8% larger than aid received by Montana State University students ($12,568 vs. $11,763).

Idaho vs. MSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Idaho 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 Idaho.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Montana State University (1180) is 70 points higher than at Idaho (1110).
• Incoming MSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Idaho).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Idaho 990/1230; Montana State University 1065/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Idaho 20/26; Montana State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Idaho - Test optional; MSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman MSU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Idaho (3.47).
• MSU has a higher acceptance rate (82.1%) than Idaho (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Idaho vs. 20.3% at MSU.

Idaho vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Idaho 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 graduation rate at Idaho is the same as at Montana State University (51% vs. 51%).
• Graduates from University of Idaho earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montana State University graduates have a $279 lower median loan debt than Idaho graduates ($24,000 vs. $24,279).
• Among borrowers, MSU graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Idaho graduates ($248 vs. $251).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Idaho students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 61%)

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.