Montana State University

www.montana.edu

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2023 Undergraduate Tuition

$6,056

3.98% growth from 2022

2023 Average Net Price

$18,511

After Financial Aid

2020 Default Rate

on Student Loans

2023 Acceptance Rate

86.8%

21,975 Applicants

2023 Enrolled Students

16,960

79.1% Full-Time

2023 Graduation Rate

57.4%

1,548 Graduates

About

Montana State University is a higher education institution located in Gallatin County, MT. In 2023, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Montana State University were General Business (291 degrees awarded), Registered Nursing (284 degrees), and Mechanical Engineering (171 degrees).

In 2023, 3,548 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Montana State University. 51.9% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 48.1% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (2,980 degrees), 18 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (166 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Montana State University is $6,056, which is $−24,947 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Montana State University was 0%, corresponding to 0 out of the 2,872 total borrowers.

Photo by Tim Evanson

Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at Montana State University is $6,056, which is $24,948 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $18,511.

In 2023, 67% of undergraduate students attending Montana State University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 32% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$6,056

2023 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2023, the cost of tuition at Montana State University was $6,056. The cost of tuition at Montana State University is $−24,948 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Montana State University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$18,511

2023 Value

7.31%

1 Year Growth

In 2023 Montana State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $18,511. Between 2022 and 2023, the average net price of Montana State University grew by 7.31%.

This chart compares the average net price of Montana State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$11,300

Room and Board

$1,450

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Montana State University was of $11,300 in 2023. The cost of room and board increased by 8.65% between 2022 and 2023.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,450. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Montana State University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

67%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

32%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

67% of undergraduate students at Montana State University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2023. This represents a decline of 32.3% with respect to 2022, when 99% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Montana State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

2020 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Montana State University was 0%, which represents 0 out of the 2872 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Montana State University received 21,975 undergraduate applications in 2023, which represents a 23.7% annual growth. Out of those 21,975 applicants, 19,081 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 86.8% acceptance rate.

There were 16,960 students enrolled at Montana State University in 2023. 25% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Montana State University has an overall enrollment yield of 19%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

86.8%

Acceptance Rate in 2023

19,081

Accepted Out of 21,975

In 2023, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Montana State University was 86.8% (19,081 admissions from 21,975 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2022, which was 73.3%. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of applicants declined by 23.7%, while admissions declined by 9.64%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Montana State University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

25%

Submission Percentage (2023)

915

Scores Submitted (2023)

25% of enrolled first-time students at Montana State University in 2023 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Montana State University had a total enrollment of 16,960 students in 2023. The full-time enrollment at Montana State University is 13,410 students and the part-time enrollment is 3,550. This means that 79.1% of students enrolled at Montana State University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Montana State University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 83.2% White, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 5.28% Two or More Races, 1.53% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.06% Asian, 0.454% Black or African American, and 0.0708% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Montana State University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (46%), followed by White Female (38.6%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (2.79%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (46.1%), followed by White Male (29%) and Two or More Races Female (3.15%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

79.1%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Montana State University in 2023, both undergraduate and graduate, is 16,960 students. The full-time enrollment at Montana State University is 13,410 and the part-time enrollment is 3,550. This means that 79.1% of students enrolled at Montana State University are enrolled full-time compared with 77.9% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Montana State University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

78%

2023 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Montana State University was 78%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (84%), Montana State University had a retention rate lower than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Montana State University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
14,104 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
933 enrolled students
Two or More Races
896 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Montana State University is 83.2% White, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 5.28% Two or More Races, 1.53% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.06% Asian, 0.454% Black or African American, and 0.0708% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 46.5% White, 15.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.78% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 141 students (0.831%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2023, 136 more women than men received degrees from Montana State University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Montana State University is white (2,980 degrees awarded). There were 18 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (166 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Montana State University is General Business (291 degrees awarded), followed by Registered Nursing (284 degrees) and Mechanical Engineering (171 degrees).

In 2023, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Montana State University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Human Sciences (179 degrees awarded), Architecture and Related Services (66 degrees), and Physical Sciences (133 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Software developers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Montana State University are Software developers (497,892 people), Other managers (394,988 people), Miscellaneous engineers, including nuclear engineers (380,366 people), Civil engineers (305,656 people), and Mechanical engineers (219,163 people).

The most specialized majors at Montana State University in 2023 are Human Sciences (179 degrees awarded), Architecture and Related Services (66 degrees), Physical Sciences (133 degrees), Engineering (501 degrees), and Natural Resources & Conservation (71 degrees) (as of 2023).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Podiatrists

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Montana State University are Podiatrists, Surgeons, Physicians, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, and Chief executives & legislators

The most specialized majors at Montana State University are Human Sciences (179 degrees awarded), Architecture and Related Services (66 degrees), Physical Sciences (133 degrees), Engineering (501 degrees), and Natural Resources & Conservation (71 degrees) (as of 2023).

Common Industries by Major

Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Montana State University are Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (612,422 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (603,097 people), Computer Systems Design (599,014 people), Architectural, engineering & related services (489,287 people), and Elementary & secondary schools (428,301 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Montana State University.

Most Common (2023)

General Business
291 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
284 degrees awarded
Mechanical Engineering
171 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Montana State University was General Business with 291 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Montana State University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

1,706

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2023

1,842

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2023

In 2023, 1,706 degrees were awarded to men at Montana State University, which is 0.926 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (1,842).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Montana State University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2023, 186 degrees were awarded to men at Montana State University in General Business, which is 1.77 times more than the 105 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2023, 245 degrees were awarded to men at Montana State University in Registered Nursing, which is 4.9 times more than the 50 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

31%

100% Completion Time

54%

150% Completion Time

In 2023, 31% of students graduating from Montana State University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 54% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 56% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Asian Female

Highest Graduation Rate (75%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 at Montana State University is Female and Asian (75% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Non-resident Alien Male students have the highest graduation rate (65.7%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 0.517% of graduates (8 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
2,980 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
166 degrees awarded
Two or More Races
157 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Montana State University is white (2,980 degrees awarded). There were 18 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (166 degrees).

0.592% of degree recipients (21 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2023)

White Female
1,535 degrees awarded
White Male
1,445 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Female
98 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Montana State University is white female (1,535 degrees awarded). There were 1.06 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (1,445 degrees).

Operations

Montana State University has an endowment valued at nearly $289M, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 10.4M (3.59%) compared to the 4.37% average return (19M on 434M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2023, Montana State University had a total salary expenditure of 625M. Montana State University employs 191 Professors, 160 Associate professors and 138 Assistant professors. Most academics at Montana State University are Male Professor (133), Male Associate professor (83), and Female Assistant professor (77).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Montana State University are: Service, with 320 employees, Business and Financial Operations, with 292 employees, and Research with 250 employees.

Endowment

$289M

2023 Endowment

14.2%

growth from 2022

Montana State University has an endowment valued at about $289M, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The endowment of Montana State University grew 14.2% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $145M lower than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Montana State University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$259M

2023 Salaries

9.63%

growth from 2022

In 2023, Montana State University paid a median of $259M in salaries, which represents 41.5% of their overall expenditure ($625M) and a 9.63% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 4.69% growth between 2021 and 2022, and a 2.06% growth between 2020 and 2021.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 246M (41.5% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$59.5M

Instructional Salaries

629

Number of Employees

In 2023, Montana State University paid a total of $59.5M to 629 employees working as instructors, which represents 22.9% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $6.13M (2.35%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

191 Employees

Service

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

320 Employees

In 2023, the most common positions for instructional staff at Montana State University were Professor with 191 employees, Associate professor with 160 employees, and Assistant professor with 138 employees.

In 2023, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Montana State University were Service with 320 employees, Business and Financial Operations with 292 employees, and Research with 250 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2023)

Male Professor
Male Associate professor
Female Assistant professor

In 2023, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Montana State University was Male Professor with 133 employees, Male Associate professor with 83 employees, and Female Assistant professor with 77 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Montana State University.

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