MSU vs. The University of Montana

Should I go to Montana State University or The University of Montana? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MSU or The University of Montana is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Montana State University vs. The University of Montana comparison
Montana State University The University of Montana College 3 College 4
Montana State University The University of Montana
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Overview

MSU The University of Montana
Location Bozeman, MT Missoula, MT
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 16,681 9,955
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #590 #724
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website montana.edu umt.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

MSU The University of Montana
Tuition (In State) $5,824 $5,515
Tuition (Out of State) $27,391 $27,168
Room & Board $11,300 $11,608
Avg Net Price $17,250 $16,361
Avg Grant Aid $5,749 $5,645
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

MSU The University of Montana
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 28,794 8,943
Admitted 21,116 8,530
Acceptance Rate 73.3% 95.4%
Enrolled % 17.8% 19%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/27 18/26
SAT Range 1070/1290 1070/1280
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 18, 2024

Academics

MSU The University of Montana
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (12%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

MSU The University of Montana
Graduation Rate 51% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,800 $41,000
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $23,183
Median Loan Payment $248 $239

Diversity

MSU The University of Montana
% Men 52% 40%
% Women 48% 60%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 86% 79%
% Black 1% 1%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 2% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

MSU The University of Montana
% In-State 35% 55%
% Out-of-State 65% 44%

Campus

MSU The University of Montana
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Montana State University is larger than than The University of Montana based on total student enrollment (16,681 students vs. 9,955 students)

MSU vs. The University of Montana Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU or The University of Montana?

  • Montana State University is 5.6% more expensive to attend than The University of Montana for in-state tuition ($5,824.00 vs. $5,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 0.8% higher at MSU than The University of Montana ($27,391.00 vs. $27,168.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Montana than MSU ($16,361 vs. $17,250)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University are 2.7% lower than costs at The University of Montana ($11,300 vs. $11,608)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Montana State University as The University of Montana (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University students is 1.8% larger than aid received The University of Montana ($5,749 vs. $5,645)

MSU vs. The University of Montana Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU or The University of Montana? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between The University of Montana or MSU .

  • The average SAT score at Montana State University (1131) is 41 points higher than at The University of Montana (1090)
  • Incoming MSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at The University of Montana (24)
  • Accepted freshman MSU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at The University of Montana (3.36)
  • The University of Montana has a higher acceptance rate (95.4%) than MSU (73.3%)

MSU vs. The University of Montana Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MSU or The University of Montana? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between The University of Montana and MSU.

  • The graduation rate at MSU is higher than The University of Montana (51% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from Montana State University earn on average $4,800 more per year than The University of Montana graduates after ten years. ($45,800 vs. $41,000)
  • The University of Montana students graduate with a $817 lower median federal student loan debt than MSU graduates. ($23,183 vs. $24,000)
  • The University of Montana graduates are paying $9 less per month on federal student loans than MSU graduates. ($239 vs. $248)
  • More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Montana students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/