Montana State University
Bozeman, Montana
- Public
- City
- 14,451 undergrads
- Admit rate
- 82%Source: College Scorecard
- Average net price
- $23,106per year, after grantsSource: College Scorecard
- Graduation rate
- 58%within 6 yearsSource: College Scorecard
- Median earnings
- $59,53610 years after startingSource: College Scorecard
What's special
Montana State University requires all students to take at least one 3-credit course in an approved Research & Creative Experience (R) course.
Source: MSU Core General Curricular Requirements | Montana State University Academic Catalog
Getting in
- Admit rate
- 82%About 8 in 10 applicants get in.Source: College Scorecard
- Test policy
- Test-optionalScores are considered if you send them, but not required.Source: College Scorecard
- SAT (middle 50%)
- 1065–1285Reading + math, enrolled first-years who sent scoresSource: College Scorecard
- ACT (middle 50%)
- 21–27Composite, enrolled first-years who sent scoresSource: College Scorecard
From Montana State University's own report
These numbers come from the school's Common Data Set for 2025–26, a standard report colleges publish about their applicants and first-year students. Open the report.
43% had a 3.75 or higher. The average was 3.51. Schools count GPA differently (weighted or not), so compare ranges loosely.
- SAT, middle 50%
- 1070–1290First-years who sent scores
- ACT, middle 50%
- 21–27First-years who sent scores
- Top 10% of their class
- 21%45% were in the top quarter.
What the admissions office says it weighs
Very important
- GPA
Considered
- How challenging your classes were
- Class rank
- Test scores
Not considered
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Activities
- A talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- Being first in your family to go to college
- Family who went there (legacy)
- Where you live
- Living in the state
- Religious affiliation
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Showing interest in the school
Where you'd stand
Enter your numbers to see where they'd fall among Montana State University's first-year students. This isn't a prediction: it shows how you compare with students who enrolled, using the sources linked below.
Leave out anything you don't have. Your numbers stay in this browser and fill in on other school pages. See my list
Sources: Montana State University Common Data Set 2025–26; College Scorecard. Test ranges describe enrolled students who sent scores.
What it really costs
Most families pay less than the sticker price. Net price is what's left after grants and scholarships.
- Average net price
- $23,106full-time first-years who got grant aidSource: College Scorecard
- Total cost of attendance
- $26,943sticker price incl. housing, per yearSource: College Scorecard
- Tuition, in-state
- $8,948Source: College Scorecard
- Tuition, out-of-state
- $33,783Source: College Scorecard
After you enroll
- Graduation rate
- 58%first-time, full-time students finishing within 6 yearsSource: College Scorecard
- Came back for year two
- 79%full-time first-year studentsSource: College Scorecard
- Median earnings
- $59,53610 years after starting, for students who got federal aidSource: College Scorecard
- Median debt at graduation
- $19,500federal loans, students who finishedSource: College Scorecard
Students
- Undergraduates
- 14,451Source: College Scorecard
- Receive Pell grants
- 19%a sign of economic diversitySource: College Scorecard
- First-generation students
- 23%parents didn't go beyond high schoolSource: College Scorecard
Similar schools
Also worth a look
- University of Massachusetts-Boston Boston, MA — admits 84%
- Rowan University Glassboro, NJ — admits 78%
- Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Bowling Green, OH — admits 81%
- West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA — admits 78%
- Temple University Philadelphia, PA — admits 80%
- University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI — admits 72%
Where these numbers come from
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard page for Montana State University, which draws on what the school reports to the federal government and on federal student aid and tax records. We last pulled the data on November 4, 2026. Different measures cover different years; here's how each one works.
Spot something wrong? Report a data error.