Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Montana State University is a public national university located in Bozeman, Montana. Montana State University is moderately inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Montana State University is in the bottom 50% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $49,066 10 years after enrolling, 2nd in Montana, and in the top 50% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Montana State University bachelor students earn 6% less than the national average. Montana State University is ranked 4th in Montana.
Montana State University’s median net annual cost of $19,453 and average years to graduate of 4.9 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Montana State University sorted by number of graduates - Business and Commerce, Registered Nursing, Consumer Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology, Biology - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$19,453
Average years to graduate
4.9
Computer Science
Rank: #116
Economic score: 1.55
Civil Engineering
Rank: #179
Economic score: 3.02
Chemical Engineering
Rank: #143
Economic score: 4.17
Microbiological Sciences
Rank: #25
Economic score: 5.24
Education (subject specific)
Rank: #193
Economic score: 6.02
Sociology
Rank: #222
Economic score: 7.14
English Language & Lit
Rank: #254
Economic score: 8.6
Education
Rank: #332
Economic score: 8.72
Cellular Biology & Anatomical Science
Rank: #16
Economic score: 10.28
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Rank: #239
Economic score: 20.1
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 4 graduate programs at Montana State University - Education (subject specific), Mathematics, Accounting, Educ. Administration - are shown below.
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.9 years. 61% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at Montana State University is 14% higher than the state average, and 7% below the average for all national universities in the country.
At Montana State University, Pell Grant recipients represent 20% of the measured graduating class, 15% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Montana State University graduates within 5 years.
Montana State University is in the bottom 10% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Montana State University’s economic mobility score of 10.64 is calculated by adjusting the 3.46 economic score of lower-income students by the 20% pell grant recipients within the student body. Montana State University’s EMS of 10.64 ranks in the bottom 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Bottom 50%
The average Title IV recipient at Montana State University pays $19,453 a year, $3,606 less than the $23,059 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $19,453
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Montana State University, 92% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $19,453 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 36% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $7,381. This is 18% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$5,191
Pell grants
$4,863
State grants
$969
Institutional grants
$5,416
Montana State University offers 1 hybrid bachelor program. At the master’s level Montana State University offers 13 programs, all of which are hybrid format. We use the IPEDS July '20 — July '21 Distance Education report to determine which programs are online. EarningsPlus data is provided when available.
Online programs
14
Hybrid programs
14
Percentage of programs online
13%
Montana State University's moderately inclusive admissions are indicated by their 73% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 26,741 applicants, of which 19,522 were admitted and 3,874 enrolled. Montana State University has a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed as they arrive until all spaces are filled.
Full time
78%
83%
Female
49%
59%
First time
72%
59%
In-state
42%
68%
1st generation
23%
35%
White
85%
52%
Black
N/A
14%
Hispanic
5%
15%
Asian
1%
5%
American Indian
1%
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
7%
12%