Montana State University

Montana State University

Bozeman, MT, USA

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. 

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
Suburb or town
0
100
82%
Acceptance Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is checked
Yes
ACT
ACT is checked
Yes
Transcript
Transcript 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.

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
42%
Out-Of-State Students
39%
69%
Submitting ACT
41%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 24
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1194
0
1600

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
16,218
Total Number of Undergrads
14,230
Academic Calendar

Semester

See your fit
Classroom Sizes

2-19 Students
46%
20-39 Students
35%
40-99 Students
13%
100+ Students
4%
0
100
24%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
54%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
17:1
US National: 21:1

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Key Financial Stats

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.
$7,371
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.
$27,100
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.
$10,400
Books and Supplies
$1450

Aid & Grants

0
100
69%
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.
23%
Average Aid Per Year
$6,382
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.
23%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,957
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$5,513

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.
41%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,942
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

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
53%
47%
Student Organizations
250
Size of Town
Suburb or town
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups is checked
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
On Campus Women's Center is checked
Yes

Housing

0
100
25%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
Yes

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Bobcats
School Colors
blue and gold
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Big Sky Conference

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Top 5 Cities
Great Falls
Seattle
Billings
Missoula
Denver
Employed
6 mos. after graduation
88%
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$48,900

What Students Are Saying

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
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