Montana State University Admissions

ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, Financial Aid, and More

Montana State University's Montana Hall
Montana State University's Montana Hall. Tim Evanson / Flickr
by Allen Grove
Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.
Updated May 23, 2019

Montana State University, with an acceptance rate of 83 percent, is largely accessible to interested students. Those with good grades and test scores are likely to be admitted. To apply, prospective students will need to submit an application (which can be found at the school's website), along with a high school transcript and scores from the SAT or ACT. If you have any questions about applying, feel free to call or email the admissions office at MSU.

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Admissions Data (2016)

Montana State University Description

Montana State University is the main campus of the Montana State University System. Montana State's huge 1,200-acre campus is located in Bozeman, the fourth largest city in the state. Yellowstone National Park is a little over an hour away. Founded in 1893 as an agricultural college, Montana State today offers over 50 Bachelor's degree programs. Business and nursing are the most popular fields among undergraduates. Montana State has a 16 to 1 student/faculty ratio. On the athletic front, the Montana State Bobcats compete in the NCAA Division I Big Sky Conference. The school fields 15 intercollegiate sports.

Enrollment (2016)

  • Total Enrollment: 16,359 (14,340 undergraduates)
  • Gender Breakdown: 55% Male / 45% Female
  • 85% Full-time

Costs (2016 - 17)

  • Tuition and Fees: $6,887 (in-state); $23,186 (out-of-state)
  • Books: $1,300 (why so much?)
  • Room and Board: $8,900
  • Other Expenses: $3,380
  • Total Cost: $20,467 (in-state); $36,766 (out-of-state)

Montana State University Financial Aid (2015 - 16)

  • Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 84%
  • Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
    • Grants: 74%
    • Loans: 43%
  • Average Amount of Aid
    • Grants: $5,879
    • Loans: $6,719

Academic Programs

  • Most Popular Majors: Art, Business, Cell Biology, Elementary Education, Environmental Design, Family and Consumer Sciences, Film, Nursing, Psychology

Retention and Graduation Rates

  • First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 76%
  • 4-Year Graduation Rate: 24%
  • 6-Year Graduation Rate: 53%

Intercollegiate Athletic Programs

  • Men's Sports: Track and Field, Tennis, Skiing, Basketball, Football
  • Women's Sports: Golf, Skiing, Basketball, Tennis, Volleyball, Cross Country

Data Source

National Center for Educational Statistics

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Montana State University Mission Statement

mission statement from http://www.montana.edu/strategicplan/vision.html

"Montana State University, the state's land-grant institution, educates students, creates knowledge and art, and serves communities by integrating learning, discovery and engagement."