Montana State University
Montana State University

Montana State University

Bozeman, MT, USA
Public
4 Year

Overview

Established in 1893, Montana State University is situated in Bozeman, Montana. MSU is the state’s land-grant university and is the primary campus for the Montana State University System. Considered by the Carnegie Foundation as an institution with a high undergraduate profile, MSU is the largest research university in Montana and MSU undergrads work on the kind of research expenditures typically reserved for graduate students. MSU is surrounded by five mountain ranges, close to two ski resorts, and is home to the largest T-Rex skull ever found at its Museum of the Rockies. 

Acceptance Rate:
81%
Average Net Price:
$17,656
Campus Setting:
Small city
Average GPA
3.6
Average ACT Composite
24
Average SAT Composite
1193

Virtual Tour

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability & Cost

Average Net Price
$17,656
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$8,083
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$31,337
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$13,446
Books and Supplies
$1450
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$16,219
$30k - $48k
$16,994
$48k - $75k
$19,453
$75k - $110k
$22,153
$110k+
$22,506
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
66%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
18%
Average Aid Per Year
$5,749
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
18%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$1,840
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$6,209

 

Students receiving state aid
7%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$981
Students receiving federal aid
100%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$1,840
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$21,374,898
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$7,917,352

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
38%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$7,375
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$13,163
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$223
Students receiving federal loans
37%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,230
Average Other Loans Per Year
$17,788

 

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Public
  • Not for Profit
  • Coed

Need Blind

This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Small city
0
100
81%
Acceptance Rate
28794
Students Applied
76%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
562
Transfer Students Admitted

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes
Test Optional
Item is checked
Yes
SAT Subject Tests
Item is checked
Yes
AP Course Credit
Item is checked
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Item is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Fall Regular DecisionJuly 1
Spring Regular DecisionDecember 1

Rolling Admissions

The college has rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted any time throughout the year.

Application Fee
$38
Applications Accepted
Online Application
Online Application

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
40%
Out-Of-State Students
60%
43%
Submitting ACT
27%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 24
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1193
0
1600
SAT Percentiles

Math
25th
530
75th
640
Reading
25th
540
75th
650
3.6
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By GPA

3.75+
42%
3.50 - 3.74
16%
3.25 - 3.49
13%
3.00 - 3.24
10%
2.50 - 2.99
15%
2.00 - 2.49
3%
Students Enrolled By Class Rank

Top 10%
22
Top 25%
46
Top 50%
77
Students Enrolled By Household Income

< $30k
137
$30k - $48k
85
$48k - $75k
113
$75k - $110k
88
$110k+
164

Admissions Resources

Admissions: visit page
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Telephone: 406-994-2452
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
17,144
Total Number of Undergrads
15,053
0
100
30%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
78%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
17:1
US National: 21:1
Academic Calendar

Semester

Non Traditional Learning
  • Online Classes
  • Online Undergrad Degrees
  • Summer Sessions
  • Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
  • Some Programs Requires Co-Op/Internship
Learning Options
  • ROTC Army
  • ROTC Air Force
  • Study Abroad
  • Honors Program
  • Teacher Certification Offered
Classroom Sizes

2-19 Students
46%
20-39 Students
35%
40-99 Students
13%
100+ Students
4%
 

Degrees and Majors

MAJORS
115

Faculty Overview

Gender
Male
Female
Ethnicity

Asian/Pacific Islander
White
Hispanic
Native American
Multi-Racial
Unknown

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
53%
47%
Residency
In-State Students
40%
Out-Of-State Students
60%
Size of Town
Small city
US States Represented
58
Countries Represented
72
Ethnicity
Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
Hispanic
6%
Native American
1%
White
84%
Multiracial
5%
Unknown
1%
Percent of First Generation Students
23%
Student Organizations
250
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Item is checked
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
Item is checked
Yes
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Item is checked
Yes

Housing

0
100
25%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No
Disability Housing Available
Yes
0
100
32%
Freshman Living on Campus

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Bobcats
School Colors
blue and gold
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Big Sky Conference
Total Male Athletes
193
Total Female Athletes
122
Intramural Sports
11
Sports Club
7
Sports Team (Men)
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Football
  • Skiing-Snowboarding
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
Sports Team (Women)
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Golf
  • Skiing-Snowboarding
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball
Montana State University Athletics: visit page

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Item is checked
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
Item is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$48,900
Top 5 Cities
Great Falls
Seattle
Billings
Missoula
Denver
Top 5 Employers
Montana State University-Bozeman
Boeing
Oracle
Micron Technology
Micron
Top 5 Sectors
Business Development
Operations
Engineering
Education
Sales
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$13,163
Loan Default Rate
4%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$223
I've learned so much in all of my classes. Most of the classes after first semester are smaller so the teachers have more time to spend with each student and discussions ensue and are really helpful.
Margaret from Bozeman, MT
My classes here are amazing. Most professors are really flexible with office hours and love to have students stop by, which is so great. They are such good resources to take advantage of. They also push you to your limits and make you really think about what you know and what you're learning, which makes it that much better.
Kathleen from Spokane Valley, WA
the campus is set in a beautifully breathtaking area, surrounded by mountains, blue skies, and golden sun-rays. montana state university offers a wide range of exciting majors and classes, taught by witty and understanding professors, for all types of interests; in fact, many of the classes take place in the outdoors! recreational programs, both outdoors and indoors, burst from the seams, providing activities for everyone to enjoy.
Alyssa from Bozeman, MT
montana state provides great hands-on research opportunity for all of it's students. it also has a very warm and friendly community that surrounds the college and that is also very involved with the school. msu has been a very wonderful experience for me so far!
Amara from Bozeman, MT
No doubt, I am learning a ton! The vacations are longer: Winter break is 17-Jan11 and summer starts May 5. Despite these relatively short semesters, the professors pile on the homework and I think that they truly care about theit students.
Amanda from Shoshone, ID
Class sizes are generally small which is good! Most professors are great for meeting up on a one-to-one basis for additional help. If not, there are also the T.A.'s and that may be a hit or miss.
Jas from Montana
The Class sizes at MSU are awesome, if you want one on one teacher to student time, MSU has it. Your professors really care about the students and are more then willing to do what it takes to make sure you succeed. Don't ever be afraid to ask these professors anything.
Ashley from Sioux Falls, SD
Not too big, not too small, MSU has virtually all of the advantages of a major university without many of the disadvantages. It is extremely affordable, both the cost of living in Bozeman and because of generous scholarship opportunities. Bozeman is also by far the most gorgeous place I've ever seen.
Hannah from Bozeman, MT
Montana State University has a very inspiring feel to it. Not only am I surrounded by motivated learners on a daily basis, I am also surrounded by intriguing landscapes that constantly reward my efforts. I've found my niche in the Earth Sciences program, and am enthusiastic to learn all I can.
Erika from Polson, MT
The area is absolutely gorgeous and there is a very welcoming atmosphere here. I've only been here for a semester, but I've had to stop myself from calling Bozeman home to my family, since it feels like home. The people here are extremely friendly and there is always something to do.
Alisa from Gresham, OR