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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 institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 82%. The freshman retention rate at Montana State University is 78.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 57%.
Here are some latest data on important things to consider about Montana State University.
Quick Facts
15,053
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
57%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you find out as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will significantly increase. Check out some important facts about admission at Montana State University.
According to the newest data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 17,786 in 2025.
Test Scores
21% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 38% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 6.98% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 33.99% between 1,200 and 1,399, 47.83% between 1,000 and 1,199, 10.8% of the students between 800 and 999, and 0.4% between 600 and 799. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 14.51, 37.64 between 24-29, 40.85 in the range between 18-23, 6.93 between 12-17, and 0.07 between 6-11.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.51. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Montana State University.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Montana State University was 78.5% in 2025, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience at this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 57%.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Montana State University in 2025 was 17,144.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 52.4. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 15,053, 114 of which were foreign students. The school reported to have a total of 529 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 7,135 male and 6,317 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
The significance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 144, and the number of Black American students was 86. 951 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 797 identified with more than one race. The school also had 11 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 210 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 91 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before sending an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into consideration. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Montana State University? Here is what you need to know.
Tuition fees for area resident were $6,730.8, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $31,216.08 for students coming from a different state. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $31,216.08, as well. Full-time students in 2025 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,216.9.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $31,216 | $2,217 | $33,432 |
| In-State | $6,731 | $2,217 | $8,947 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,470.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
In 2025, room and board cost at Montana State University amounted to $12,904 a year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 6,731 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,904 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,470 |
| Total Expense | $ 21,105 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial help for students. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Montana State University, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent records show that 1,409 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $13,260.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
3,214 students were designated some form of need-based financial aid. 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 amounted to 4,574. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $14,481,846, and state $432,142. The students of Montana State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $5,401,414, and external in the amount of $3,870,224.
$2,172
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria 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 192 students overall (including freshmen) at Montana State University in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 92 full-time freshmen. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $4,675,592. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $3,846,017 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Montana State University was 16:1: that means 16 students per one teacher. This school has recently reported to have 1,048 faculty members. This number included 514 male and 534 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
It is not all about learning and grades at Montana State University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some info about students' life at Montana State University.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
This number includes sororities and fraternities. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 6.9 and female students 7.7. Students interested in music can join the Montana State University band or chorus. If you're interested in acting, you have the option to join a drama club. Interested in media and communication? Montana State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Montana State University, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a health 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.
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 reported acceptance rate for Montana State University is 82%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Montana State University is 78.5%.
Contact Information
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.