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Montana State University
Bozeman, MT
Montana State University (MSU) is a public research university located in Bozeman, Montana. Established in 1893, it is the largest university in the state and a member of the prestigious Montana University System. With a strong focus on science and engineering, MSU offers over 200 undergraduate and graduate programs across a wide range of fields, including business, education, agriculture, arts, humanities, and health sciences.
MSU is known for its research initiatives and commitment to innovation. The university has a robust research infrastructure, with state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and centers dedicated to various areas of study. Faculty and students are actively engaged in cutting-edge research projects that contribute to advancements in fields like climate change, bioengineering, computer science, and more.
The university also offers a vibrant campus life and an array of extracurricular activities for students. With over 300 student organizations, including clubs, sports teams, and performance groups, there is something for everyone. The surrounding natural landscapes of Montana provide a stunning backdrop for outdoor activities, making MSU an attractive destination for individuals seeking both academic and recreational opportunities. Overall, Montana State University provides a high-quality education, fosters a diverse and inclusive community, and prepares students to be leaders and problem-solvers in their chosen fields.
Located in Bozeman, MT, Montana State University is a public university. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 86%. The freshman retention rate at Montana State University is 77.9% and the six-year graduation rate is 57%.
To find out more about what Montana State University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
14,885
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
86%
Acceptance Rate
19:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
57%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Knowing as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission maximizes your chances of getting admitted. How difficult is it to get admitted to Montana State University and what are the admission requirements?
According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 19,081 in 2024. Montana State University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 25.2% and ACT scores 40.5%. 5.9% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 35.1% between 1,200 and 1,399, 46.1% between 1,000 and 1,199, 12.2% between 800 and 999, and 0.7% between 600 and 799. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 12.4, 37 between 24-29, 40.3 in the range between 18-23, and 10.3 between 12-17.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.52. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance,.
Retention Rate
The percentage of first-year students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for Montana State University was 77.9%, a reflection of the high standards and excellent educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 57%.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better idea of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Montana State University in 2024 was 16,978.
That year, the institution had 52.4% of students coming from another state. There was a total of 14,885 students working towards bachelor's degrees, including 113 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 562.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 7,109 male and 6,219 female full-time students in 2024. There were 259 full-time graduate male and 361 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Montana State University.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 150, and the number of African American students was 63. 834 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 802 as multirace. The school also had 10 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 209 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 97 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. Here are some important information on Montana State University costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Montana State University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $6,056 for area residents. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $29,047 in 2024. If you are an international student at Montana State University, you should know that the 2024 tuition came to $29,047, as well. Full-time students in 2024 were mandated to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,027.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $29,047 | $2,027 | $31,074 |
| In-State | $6,056 | $2,027 | $8,083 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to think about the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The approximate expense of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,450.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2024, the price of room and board at Montana State University was $14,000 per academic year.
| Tuition | $ 6,056 |
| Room and Board | $ 14,000 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,450 |
| Total Expense | $ 21,506 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial aid: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based aid available at Montana State University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 1,360 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $13,334 in financial help.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
There were 3,014 students who received need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Montana State University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 4,412. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $13,734,650, and state $331,270. The students of Montana State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $4,345,634, and external in the amount of $2,963,345.
$2,122
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 182 students overall (including freshmen) at Montana State University in 2024. 85 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $3,803,187. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $3,565,622 USD.
Majors
Faculty
19:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2024, this ratio at Montana State University was 19:1. That means that there were 19 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 1,003. This number included 496 male and 507 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Montana State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Montana State University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some information about social life at Montana State University.
It has a campus size of 956 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 6.2 and female students 5.1. The student organization that has the biggest membership is Brownie Club, followed by Associated Students of Montana State University (ASMSU) and Campus Crusade for Christ. Other popular organizations among the students at Montana State University are Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at MSU and Residence Hall Association.
Those who have a talent for music can join the Montana State University band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. You have a talent for media and communication? Montana State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Montana State University provides a number of services crucial for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Montana State University.
All in all, campus life at Montana State University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Montana State University.
Career Counselling
At Montana State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Montana State University is located in Bozeman, MT.
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Montana State University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Montana State University is 86%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Montana State University is 77.9%.
Contact Information
Montana State University,
201 Strand Union Building (SUB)
Bozeman, MT
59717
406 994-0211
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.