MSU vs. UB

Should I go to Montana State University or University at Buffalo? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MSU or UB 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. University at Buffalo comparison
Montana State University University at Buffalo College 3 College 4
Montana State University University at Buffalo
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Overview

MSU UB
Location Bozeman, MT Buffalo, NY
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 16,681 32,099
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #590 #103
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website montana.edu buffalo.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

MSU UB
Tuition (In State) $5,824 $7,070
Tuition (Out of State) $27,391 $24,990
Room & Board $11,300 $16,212
Avg Net Price $17,250 $18,524
Avg Grant Aid $5,749 $8,521
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 74%

Admission

MSU UB
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 28,794 30,939
Admitted 21,116 20,948
Acceptance Rate 73.3% 67.7%
Enrolled % 17.8% 20.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.75
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Very High
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 20/27 25/32
SAT Range 1070/1290 1190/1380
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

Academics

MSU UB
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (12%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

MSU UB
Graduation Rate 51% 71%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,800 $58,400
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $19,500
Median Loan Payment $248 $201

Diversity

MSU UB
% Men 52% 52%
% Women 48% 48%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 86% 48%
% Black 1% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 3% 16%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

MSU UB
% In-State 35% 88%
% Out-of-State 65% 3%

Campus

MSU UB
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

  • University at Buffalo is larger than than MSU based on total student enrollment (32,099 students vs. 16,681 students)

MSU vs. UB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU or UB?

  • University at Buffalo is 21.4% more expensive to attend than MSU for in-state tuition ($7,070.00 vs. $5,824.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 9.6% higher at MSU than University at Buffalo ($27,391.00 vs. $24,990.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Montana State University than UB ($17,250 vs. $18,524)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University are 43.5% lower than costs at University at Buffalo ($11,300 vs. $16,212)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Montana State University than University at Buffalo (100% vs. 74%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University at Buffalo students is 48.2% larger than aid received Montana State University ($8,521 vs. $5,749)

MSU vs. UB Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University at Buffalo (1173) is 42 points higher than at MSU (1131)
  • Incoming UB students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at MSU (25)
  • Accepted freshman UB students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at MSU (3.5)
  • MSU has a higher acceptance rate (73.3%) than UB (67.7%)

MSU vs. UB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MSU or UB? 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 UB and MSU.

  • The graduation rate at UB is higher than Montana State University (71% vs. 51%)
  • Graduates from University at Buffalo earn on average $12,600 more per year than MSU graduates after ten years. ($58,400 vs. $45,800)
  • University at Buffalo students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than MSU graduates. ($19,500 vs. $24,000)
  • UB graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than MSU graduates. ($201 vs. $248)
  • More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UB students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 70%)

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