Montana State University (MSU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Montana State University
Under big-sky light and the Bridger skyline, Montana State University leans into its land-grant roots. It's known for hands-on learning in engineering, environmental sciences, agriculture, health, business, and the arts. Labs and field sites reach into the Yellowstone region, while the library, workshops, advising, tutoring, and health services anchor everyday life.
Student life skews outdoorsy and welcoming. You'll spot Bobcat blue on trailheads, ski lifts, and at the in-state rivalry game. The Museum of the Rockies connection, the hike to the hillside M, and homecoming traditions set the rhythm. Career prep is pragmatic, with research alongside faculty, internships with local firms and nonprofits, and ties to regional industries. Bozeman adds a lively downtown, arts and coffee, and plenty of room to breathe. Notable alumni include Jan Stenerud and Senator Steve Daines.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Montana State University (MSU) offers 107 degree programs across 31 major academic fields, graduating approximately 3,678 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Health (11 programs, 498 graduates), Business (8 programs, 454 graduates), Engineering (9 programs, 449 graduates), Biological Sciences (9 programs, 279 graduates) and Education (12 programs, 221 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Health (11 programs, 498 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 391 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
51.3801 |
| Family Practice Nursing | 32 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3805 |
| Clinical Nutrition | 26 |
|
Master's
|
51.3102 |
| Substance Abuse Counseling | 13 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.1501 |
| Pre-Medicine | 8 |
|
Master's
|
51.1102 |
| Nursing Science | 8 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3808 |
| Mental Health Counseling | 7 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.1508 |
| Phlebotomy Technician | 6 |
|
Residency
|
51.1009 |
| Medical Assistant | 4 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.0801 |
| Medical Insurance Coding | 2 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.0713 |
| Community Health and Preventive Medicine | 1 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2208 |
Business (8 programs, 454 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration | 366 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0101 |
| Business Administration and Management | 22 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting | 17 |
|
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0899 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 13 |
|
Master's
|
52.1399 |
| Hospitality Management | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0901 |
| Financial Planning and Services | 6 |
|
Master's
|
52.0804 |
| Accounting and Bookkeeping Technology | 5 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
52.0302 |
Engineering (9 programs, 449 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 157 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1901 |
| Civil Engineering | 72 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.0801 |
| Chemical Engineering | 68 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0701 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 40 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1001 |
| Environmental Health Engineering | 33 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.1401 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 28 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.0501 |
| Industrial Engineering | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.3501 |
| Computer Engineering | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.0901 |
| General Engineering | 8 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0101 |
Biological Sciences (9 programs, 279 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 119 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
26.0101 |
| Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology | 76 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0503 |
| Cell Biology and Histology | 60 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0401 |
| Biotechnology | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1201 |
| Biochemistry | 9 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0202 |
| Plant Pathology | 2 |
|
Master's
|
26.0305 |
| Molecular Biology | 1 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0204 |
| Entomology | 1 |
|
Master's
|
26.0702 |
| Neuroscience | 1 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1501 |
Education (12 programs, 221 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Education | 41 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1202 |
| Science Teacher Education | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13.1316 |
| School Library Media Specialist | 34 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1334 |
| Agricultural Teacher Education | 23 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1301 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 22 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0401 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 19 |
|
Master's
|
13.0301 |
| Music Teacher Education | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1312 |
| Early Childhood Education | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1210 |
| Social Science Teacher Education | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1317 |
| Higher Education Administration | 6 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0406 |
| General Education | 5 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0101 |
| School Counseling and Guidance | 5 |
|
Master's
|
13.1101 |
Arts (4 programs, 180 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art Studies | 70 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0701 |
| Cinematography and Film Production | 69 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0602 |
| Interior Design | 24 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0408 |
| Music | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
Psychology (2 programs, 178 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 158 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
42.0101 |
| Counseling Psychology | 20 |
|
Master's
|
42.2803 |
Human Sciences (2 programs, 155 graduates)
Family Studies, Consumer Sciences and Human Development
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences | 145 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19.0101 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
19.0501 |
Physical Sciences (6 programs, 154 graduates)
Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geology and Earth Science | 64 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.0601 |
| Chemistry | 50 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.0501 |
| Physics | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.0801 |
| Materials Science | 8 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.1001 |
| Optical Sciences | 3 |
|
Master's
|
40.0807 |
| Astronomy | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0201 |
Social Sciences (5 programs, 139 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sociology | 65 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
| Political Science and Government | 40 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Economics | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0601 |
| Anthropology | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0201 |
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 5 |
|
Master's
|
45.0603 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Montana State University (MSU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Montana State University (MSU)
How much does it cost to attend Montana State University (MSU)?
The annual tuition at Montana State University (MSU) is $8,083 for in-state students and $31,337 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $26,671 for in-state students and $49,925 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $13,446 and books and supplies $1,450.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Montana State University offer?
Montana State University (MSU) offers 107 academic programs across 31 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional), Residency, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (11 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (8 programs)
- Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions (9 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (9 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (12 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Montana State University?
Montana State University (MSU) has an 86.8% acceptance rate and a 19% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 21,975
- Students admitted: 19,081
- Students enrolled: 3,634
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Montana State University?
Montana State University (MSU) provides financial aid to 22% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $9,967 and average loans of $9,510.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,261
- State/Local grants: $986
- Institutional grants: $9,477
- Federal loans: $5,155
The university supports 2,785 students with grants and 1,273 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Montana State University graduates?
Montana State University (MSU) graduates earn a median salary of $44,757 after 6 years and $53,263 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $31,991 (25th percentile) to $78,911 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $84,200 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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