What Montana State costs
Montana State University charges $8,460 a year in published tuition and fees for Montana residents, about $4,230 a semester, and $33,287 a year for students from other states, about $16,644 a semester. With housing, food, books and other costs, the total cost of attendance for in-state students is $25,905 a year. Students who received grants or scholarships paid $19,600 a year on average after that aid (the average net price). You may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships.
Montana State University takes part in the Western Undergraduate Exchange, so students from other western states may pay no more than 150% of in-state tuition. See the full WUE list →
Compare out-of-state tuition at 100 public universities →
Getting into Montana State
For fall 2024, Montana State University received 21,652 applications and admitted 17,786 students, and 3,612 enrolled as first-years. The middle half of enrolled students who sent SAT scores scored between 1065 and 1285.
What Montana State students study
The most common bachelor's degrees at Montana State University (class of 2024, first majors only):
| Major | Degrees |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing / Registered Nurse | 374 |
| Business / Commerce | 364 |
| Psychology | 147 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 143 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences / Human Sciences | 129 |
| Biology / Biological Sciences | 109 |
| Computer Science | 99 |
| Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology | 65 |
Source: IPEDS Completions, bachelor's degrees awarded in 2023–24.
Colleges like Montana State
Smaller public universities with the same campus setting (small or midsize city), closest in size and nearest in region:
- Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, Colorado: 8,143 undergraduates
- The University of Montana, Missoula, Montana: 7,488 undergraduates
- University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado: 5,598 undergraduates
- Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, Idaho: 2,385 undergraduates
- University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina: 14,922 undergraduates
See more colleges like Montana State in the College Filter →
Lists that include Montana State
- Smaller Public Universities: 242 Compared
- Division I Colleges: 353 Compared
- Smaller Public Universities in the Mountain West: 11 Compared
- Division I Colleges in the Mountain West: 21 Compared
FAQ
What is Montana State University's acceptance rate? 82.1% for fall 2024: 17,786 of 21,652 applicants were admitted.
How much is tuition at Montana State University? $8,460 a year for in-state students and $33,287 for out-of-state students, in published tuition and fees before aid. You may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships.
Is Montana State University part of WUE? Yes. It is on WICHE's September 2026 list of Western Undergraduate Exchange colleges. Requirements vary by college, so check with Montana State University about how to apply and which programs qualify.
How many students go to Montana State University? About 14,500 undergraduates (fall 2024).
What SAT scores do Montana State University students have? The middle half of enrolled students scored 1065–1285.
What is the campus setting at Montana State University? The National Center for Education Statistics classifies its location as a small or midsize city.
Sources
- College Navigator: Montana State University (IPEDS, U.S. Department of Education)
- College Scorecard: Montana State University
- Campus photo via Wikimedia Commons
