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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.
Montana State University is a public university located in Bozeman, MT. 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%.
Discover more about what you can expect if you get into Montana State University.
Quick Facts
15,053
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
57%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you discover as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly improve. Discover some vital facts about admission policy and requirements at Montana State University.
According to the newest information reported, this institution 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 total number of those who submitted test scores. 6.98% of the enrolled 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% between 800 and 999, and 0.4% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of freshmen 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 you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted.
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. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Montana State University was 78.5%, which is considered an above-average retention rate and is indicative of the quality of educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 57%.
Student Body
Choosing a school that is the best place for you is not a simple task. Having a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution enrolled 17,144 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 52.4% for that year. There was a total of 15,053 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 114 international students. The school admitted 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
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. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 144 Asian students and 86 Afro-American students in 2025. 951 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 797 identified with more than one race. The school also had 11 students who declared 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
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $6,730.8. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $31,216.08. For international students, tuition fees at this school were $31,216.08, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students reached $2,216.9 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $31,216 | $2,217 | $33,432 |
| In-State | $6,731 | $2,217 | $8,947 |
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to consider is the approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,470.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Montana State University was $12,904 per academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 6,731 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,904 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,470 |
| Total Expense | $ 21,105 |
Financial Aid
Getting some financial help in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be very important for finishing your studies. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Montana State University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 1,409 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students reached $13,260.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet other eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
3,214 students obtained 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 was found to be 4,574. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $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. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 192 students overall (including freshmen) at Montana State University in 2025. 92 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 $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. The faculty of this school consists of 1,048 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 514 men and 534 women. 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 information about campus life at Montana State University.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
That includes sororities and fraternities. 6.9 percent of male and 7.7 of female students are involved in different organizations at Montana State University. Those who like 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 offers a number of services important for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
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 all you need for a comfortable stay.
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 82%.
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According to the latest information, 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.
