Montana State University
#8 Best Education Colleges in Montana- Graduation Rate
- 57% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $53,263 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $22,499 D+
- 31% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 82% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 14.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $14.6 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Best Education Colleges in Montana.
Every $1 spent returns $14.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,227,831.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 31% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $14.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- World Rank
- #501-600
- Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 22/100
- Times Higher Education
Why Montana State University Matters
Montana State University is a public research university in Bozeman, MT ranked #501-600 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 14,451
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Engineering, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Montana State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 82% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1065–1285. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $22,499 a year after grants and scholarships — 31% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $53,263 ten years after enrolling — 31% above the typical college, against $22,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.52 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 14,000 students and an acceptance rate of 82%, Montana State University in Bozeman is an accessible choice for many. This school is well-suited for those interested in fields like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Engineering, and Biology & Biomedical studies. The vibrant campus life and the beautiful Montana landscape also make it appealing for students who appreciate outdoor activities and a close-knit community.
When it comes to life after graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $53,263 a decade into their careers. This figure is competitive, especially when considering that the cost of living in Montana is generally lower than in many urban areas. The graduation rate of 57% indicates that while not all students complete their degrees, many do find success in the workforce. Importantly, with 16% of students receiving Pell Grants, there is some support available for those who need financial assistance.
In terms of the bottom line, the average net price after aid at Montana State University is around $22,499, which can be manageable for many families. Students graduate with a median debt of $22,500, a figure that’s not unusual in today’s higher education landscape. Those who thrive here tend to be self-motivated and engaged, ready to take advantage of the hands-on learning opportunities and the support from faculty in a community that values collaboration and growth.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Montana State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Montana State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Bozeman, Montana, Montana State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 82%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,183. The graduation rate is roughly 57%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 82%
- Retention Rate
- 79%
- SAT Average
- 1183
- ACT Midpoint
- 24
- SAT Range
- 1065–1285
- ACT Range
- 21–27
- Full-Time Faculty
- 58%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,762
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.30
- First-Gen Students
- 23%
- Applicants
- 28,794
- Admitted
- 21,116
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2025-26
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Montana State University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 19% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 19%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 14%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 29%
- of enrolled freshmen
There is an early lane. Montana offers Early Action, so you can apply ahead of the regular deadline and hear back sooner without committing to enroll.
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 43% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Montana State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Montana State University is $33,287, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,499. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,797 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,460
- Out-of-State
- $33,287
- Avg Net Price
- $22,499
- Median Debt
- $22,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 16%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 31%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,797
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,570
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $21,977
- Family Income $110K+
- $25,905
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Montana State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Montana State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Montana State University earn a median of $53,263, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $44,757
- 8 Years
- $48,622
- 10 Years
- $53,263
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.42x
- Earning > $25K
- 65%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (717)
- 30%
- 100% (717)
- 30%
- 100% (717)
- 30%
- 100% (717)
- 30%
How Montana Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Montana State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Montana State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $22,499/year ($89,996 total). Graduates earn $53,263 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,317,827 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,227,831 (14.6× your investment). The median debt is $22,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 57% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $89,996
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,317,827
- Net Return
- $1,227,831
- ROI Multiple
- 14.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $22,499
- Median Debt
- $22,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 22/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 48/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 43/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-1,614,679
Top Programs
The fields Montana State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 16% $48,356 early-career
- Engineering 13% $77,692 early-career
- Health Professions 8% $70,592 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 8% $39,882 early-career
- Psychology 5% $35,506 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $34,755 early-career
- Social Sciences 5% $42,897 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $85,936 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Montana State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Montana State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Bozeman, Montana, Montana State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 82%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,183. The graduation rate is roughly 57%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Montana State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Montana State University is $33,287, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,499. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,797 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,500 in federal student loans.
Is Montana State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Montana State University earn a median of $53,263, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Montana State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Montana State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.52, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is Montana State University? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places Montana State University at #501-600 worldwide. Its profile spans a research score of 22/100, teaching at 18/100, and citation impact of 48/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Does Montana State University offer Early Decision?
No. Montana State University does not report a binding Early Decision plan, though it does offer a non-binding Early Action option (2025-26 Common Data Set).
Is Montana State University really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 43% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Montana State University (2025-26 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Montana State University?
About 19% of admitted students choose to enroll at Montana State University — its yield rate (2025-26 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Montana State University.
- University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY · Close peer61% grad $53,899 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Boise State UniversityBoise, ID · Close peer61% grad $51,658 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI · Close peer58% grad $53,493 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI · Close peer58% grad $53,562 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Tarleton State UniversityStephenville, TX · Close peer50% grad $53,040 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN · Close peer63% grad $51,833 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Montana State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Montana State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.52, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note