MSU Admission Requirements
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- 4 Year
- Bozeman, MT
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MSU Admission Overview
MSU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year MSU admitted 82.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.5 GPA (A-) and SAT 1065-1285 / ACT 21-27. MSU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
MSU is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
MSU Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Montana State University
Acceptance Rate
The MSU acceptance rate is 82.1%. Last year, 17,786 of 21,652 applicants were admitted. That is the 4th lowest acceptance rate in Montana.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into MSU and can you get accepted?
MSU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Montana State University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.5. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 20% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
MSU GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.5Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.5
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at MSU typically have around a 3.5 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. MSU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #3 in Montana for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
MSU Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Montana State University is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle. The Montana Board of Regents has ended the SAT and ACT requirement for admission to its campuses for the foreseeable future, and scores are also not required for scholarship consideration. You may still send ACT or SAT results for math and writing placement. First-year academic requirements can be met with a 2.5 high school GPA, class rank in the upper half, or an ACT of 22 or SAT of 1120, along with the college-preparatory curriculum. Students from home schools or unaccredited schools may be asked to show SAT or ACT performance.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.montana.edu/admissions/apply/freshman.html
MSU SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1065-1285Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
21%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 540
- Math 525
- Composite 1065
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 645
- Math 640
- Composite 1285
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at MSU typically score around a 1180 SAT (middle 50% 1065–1285) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 73rd percentile nationally. MSU ranks #2 in the state of Montana for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1065 to 1285
SAT policy
MSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1180 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
MSU ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
21-27Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
38%25th Percentile Scores
- English 20
- Math 19
- Composite 21
75th Percentile Scores
- English 27
- Math 27
- Composite 27
Average ACT
Incoming testers at MSU typically have around a 24 ACT (mid-50 21–27) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 73rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. MSU places #2 among colleges in Montana for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 21 to 27
ACT policy
You may apply to MSU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 24.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
74% of Montana State University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 44% are in the top quarter.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the MSU chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Montana State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Montana State University is $38.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
MSU is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 82.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.5 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1065-1285); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Montana State University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=180461.
GPA calculator: Montana State University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026