Chances of getting into Montana State University
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance Rate
| Measure | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Standards | Difficult | |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
How hard is it to get into MSU and can I get accepted? The school has a 81% acceptance rate ranking it #4 in Montana for lowest rate of acceptance. Last year, 15,260 out of 18,892 applicants were admitted making Montana State University an easy school to get into with a very good chance of acceptance assuming you meet the requirements. Academically, it has difficult requirements for admission test scores, generally admitting students who score in the top 43 percent. Montana State University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students. Only 21% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school. Most incoming freshmen graduated in the top half of their high school class.
Test Requirements
You must submit admission test scores with your application. Montana State University is not a test optional school. Note: Please consult the school directly to determine if testing requirements are temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
MSU SAT Scores
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
SAT Range
Applicants Submitting SAT
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| SAT Reading 25th | 550 |
| SAT Math 25th | 540 |
| SAT Composite 25th | 1090 |
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| SAT Reading 75th | 660 |
| SAT Math 75th | 660 |
| SAT Composite 75th | 1320 |
| Average SAT Score | 1210 |
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to Montana State University?
Montana State University typically prefers applicants to be in the top 43 percent of SAT test takers. The school consistently takes SAT composite scores down to 1090 on a 1600 scale, below which admission should be considered a reach. We estimate some students could be accepted with SAT's as low as 970. The estimated average SAT composite for admitted freshman is 1210 out of 1600. The school ranks #1 in Montana for highest average SAT composite score. 39 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2020 starting classEstimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score
| SAT Score (1600 scale) | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 1320 and Above | Good | >88% |
| 1205 to 1320 | Avg + | 81%-88% |
| 1090 to 1205 | Avg - | 71%-81% |
| 975 to 1090 | Reach | 60%-71% |
| Less than 975 | Low | <60% |
MSU ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
ACT Range
Applicants Submitting ACT
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 25th | 20 |
| ACT Math 25th | 20 |
| ACT Composite 25th | 21 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 75th | 27 |
| ACT Math 75th | 27 |
| ACT Composite 75th | 28 |
| Average ACT Score | 24 |
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into MSU?
Admission data indicates that MSU regularly accepts students with ACT's of 21 and above. Successful applicants typically send ACT scores in the top 43 percent nationally. We estimate the school accepting minimum ACT composite scores around 18 in some instances. Prospective students submitting an ACT composite of 24 or higher should be in the upper half of applicants - and students with a 28 and above have very competitive chances. The school ranks #3 in Montana for highest average ACT composite score. Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 70 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Montana State University.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2020 starting classEstimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score
| ACT Score | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 28 and Above | Good | >89% |
| 24 to 28 | Avg + | 81%-89% |
| 21 to 24 | Avg - | 73%-81% |
| 18 to 21 | Reach | 63%-73% |
| Less than 18 | Low | <63% |
Explore Montana State University
MSU GPA
Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA
Avg. High School GPA
Typical High School Grades
What GPA do you need to get into Montana State University?
Applicants require very good grades in high school to get into MSU. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at Montana State University was 3.6 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily B+ students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #3 in Montana for highest average GPA. If your high school grades are above the average 3.6 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as MSU accepts 81% of all applicants.
| High School GPA | Freshmen Within Range | Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 17.0% | Good |
| 3.75 to 3.99 | 25.0% | Avg + |
| 3.50 to 3.74 | 16.0% | Avg - |
| 3.25 to 3.49 | 13.0% | Avg - |
| 3.00 to 3.24 | 10.0% | Reach |
| 2.50 to 2.99 | 15.0% | Reach |
| 2.00 to 2.49 | 3.0% | Reach |
| 1.00 to 1.99 | 1.0% | Low |
| less than 1.00 | 0% | Low |
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2021
Similar Requirements
High School Class Rank
74% of Montana State University freshman were in the top half of their high school graduating class.
| High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 20% |
| Top 25% of class | 47% |
| Top 50% of class | 74% |
| Lower 50% of class | 26% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 8,501 | 10,391 | 18,892 |
| Accepted | 6,867 | 8,393 | 15,260 |
| Acceptance Rate | 81% | 81% | 81% |
| Enrolled | 1,458 | 1,801 | 3,259 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 21% | 21% | 21% |
Fall 2022 Application Deadline
Applications were Due
Days left to Apply
The application deadline for Fall 2022 has passed. Applications were due on May 15, 2022.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Montana State University is $30.
Admission Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Montana State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Required |
| High School GPA | Required |
| High School Class Rank | Required |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Neither required nor recommended |
| Recommendations | Neither required nor recommended |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Neither required nor recommended |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=180461 IPEDS survey data for Montana State University.
FAQs
Does Montana State University prefer SAT or ACT?
39% of students submit their SAT scores to MSU. 70% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.
What is my chance of getting into Montana State University?
81% of those who apply are granted admission to MSU. Admission competition is and the college has difficult admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.
What SAT score is required for Montana State University?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1090 and 1320. 39% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
What ACT score is required for Montana State University?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 21 and 28. 70% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.