Montana State University - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and chance of acceptance

Your chances of getting into Montana State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

73.3%

Admission Difficulty for Montana State University
Measure	Difficulty
Admission Standards		Challenging
Applicant Competition		Low

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at MSU is 73.3%. Its admission rate is the 2nd lowest in Montana.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into MSU and can you get accepted?

MSU is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 21,116 out of the 28,794 who applied were admitted.

Montana State University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.5. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into MSU?

73% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Montana State University you should:

Have a high school GPA of 3.5 or better
Earn B+ grades in high school
Score 1180 on the SAT
Score 23 on the ACT
Graduate in the top half of your high school class

MSU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA

3.5

Typical High School Grades

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Montana State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into MSU are to have around a 3.5 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as MSU accepts 73% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at MSU is 3.5 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #3 in Montana for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since MSU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Montana State University students
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	18.97%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	23.39%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	18.58%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	12.4%	Avg -
3.00 to 3.24	9.72%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	12.5%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	3.64%	Reach
1.00 to 1.99	0.78%	Reach
less than 1.00	0.78%	Low

What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

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MSU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Montana State University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 27% of students submitted SAT scores and 43% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

1070-1290

Applicants Submitting SAT

27%

SAT Scores for Montana State University
SAT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	540
Math 25th Percentile	530
Composite 25th Percentile	1070

SAT Scores for Montana State University
SAT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	650
Math 75th Percentile	640
Composite 75th Percentile	1290
Average SAT Score	1180

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Montana State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at MSU is 1180 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1070-1290. Students who get into Montana State University score in the top 47 percent of all SAT test takers.. MSU ranks #2 in the state of Montana for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1180 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. MSU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1070 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1070, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 960, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Montana State University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1180 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1180, you have around a 73% chance of being admitted. A 1290 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 84% chance of getting in.

Montana State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1290 and Above	Good	>84%
1180 to 1290	Avg +	73%-84%
1070 to 1180	Avg -	59%-73%
960 to 1070	Reach	43%-59%
Less than 960	Low	<43%

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MSU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range

20-27

Applicants Submitting ACT

43%

ACT Scores for Montana State University
ACT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	19
Math 25th Percentile	19
Composite 25th Percentile	20

ACT Scores for Montana State University
ACT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	26
Math 75th Percentile	26
Composite 75th Percentile	27
Average ACT Score	23

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into MSU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to MSU is 23, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 20 and 27. The school ranks #1 in Montana for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 23. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 20 and score in the score in the top 49 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.

43 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Montana State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Montana State University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into MSU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 23 score has around 73% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 85% with a 27 ACT score.

Montana State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
27 and Above	Good	>85%
23 to 27	Avg +	73%-85%
20 to 23	Avg -	61%-73%
17 to 20	Reach	47%-61%
Less than 17	Low	<47%

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High School Class Rank

74% of Montana State University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 44% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Montana State University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	19.82%
Top 25% of class	44.4%
Top 50% of class	74%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Montana State University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	16,567	12,112	28,794
Accepted	11,433	9,601	21,116
Acceptance Rate	69%	79%	73%
Enrolled	1,746	1,992	3,752
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	15%	21%	18%

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Montana State University is $38.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Montana State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Montana State University Application Requirements
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Montana State University
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because MSU is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.5 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1180 on the SAT and 23 on the ACT will further lock in your application.