US CollegesGetting in
Montana State University admits 82% of those who apply, which makes it open to most applicants. The median admission rate of colleges on this site that report one is 77%. The average SAT score of admitted students is 1183 out of 1600 (midpoints: 595 in reading and writing, 590 in maths). The midpoint ACT score is 24 out of 36.
What it costs
| Tuition and fees, students from Montana | $8,948 |
| Tuition and fees, students from elsewhere | $33,783 |
| Room and meals on campus | $14,580 |
| Books and supplies | $1,450 |
| Average full cost of a year (tuition, living, books), before aid | $26,943 |
| Average net price after grants and scholarships | $23,106 |
The net price is what students who got federal aid paid on average for a year after grants and scholarships were taken off (for a public college, students from inside the state). It is 110% above the median net price of colleges in Montana on this site ($11,016). International students are normally charged the out-of-state tuition and do not receive US federal aid.
Net price by family income
| Family income a year | Average net price |
|---|---|
| Up to $30,000 | $19,322 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $19,557 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $21,133 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $24,666 |
| Above $110,000 | $26,850 |
For students who received federal aid. A negative figure means grants were larger than the cost counted.
For an estimate that fits your own family, use the college's net price calculator.
Results
| Measure | This college | MT median | US median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students who come back for a second year | 79% | 64% | 73% |
| Students who finish their degree (within one and a half times the normal length) | 59% | 42% | 49% |
| Median earnings 10 years after starting | $59,536 | $45,792 | $53,132 |
| Median federal loan debt of those who finish | $19,500 | $15,789 | $19,994 |
Medians are the middle value of the colleges on this site in Montana and in the whole country. Completion and return rates count first-time, full-time students. Earnings and debt count students who received federal aid.
The students
19% of undergraduates receive a Pell Grant, the federal grant for students from lower-income families. 31% take a federal student loan. The undergraduate body is 46% women and 54% men. By undergraduate numbers it is number 1 of the 22 colleges in Montana on this site that report a size; the middle-sized one has 582.
Other colleges in Montana of a similar size
- The University of MontanaMissoula, public
- Montana State University BillingsBillings, public
- Montana Technological UniversityButte, public
- The University of Montana-WesternDillon, public
- Carroll CollegeHelena, private nonprofit
- Rocky Mountain CollegeBillings, private nonprofit
Common questions
What is the acceptance rate of Montana State University?
Montana State University admits 82% of applicants, according to the College Scorecard.
How much is tuition at Montana State University?
Published tuition and fees are $8,948 a year for students from Montana and $33,783 for others. Most students with aid pay less: see the net price.
What is the graduation rate of Montana State University?
59% of first-time, full-time students finish within one and a half times the normal length of the course.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education, data released on 2 November 2026; checked in November 2026. Net price, debt and earnings describe students who received US federal aid. Costs change each year. This is official data for general information, not advice: confirm costs and admission rules on the college's own website and at collegescorecard.ed.gov.