MSU Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements

Montana State University is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Montana State University (MSU) is 73%. This means that 73 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.

To secure admission, you must convince the admission staff that you are both mentally and physically fit for the course of study. More importantly, your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. Additionally, if you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as the MSU is not very strict in its admission process, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.

As the acceptance rate is above 50%, you still have a chance if your GPA is not excellent. You can make up for a lower GPA by scoring high on the SAT, ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.

Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can enhance your admission chances.

Montana State University Admission Requirements

MSU GPA Requirement

The average GPA of the admitted students at MSU is 3.3. It means that MSU is selective in terms of GPA of the students. (Please note that most schools report a weighted GPA, which is out of 4.0. However, some schools may use unweighted GPA. For exact information, contact the school admission staff).

With an average GPA of 3.3, MSU requires you to be above average in your class. You need to score more A's than B's in your classes to have good chances of admission. Additionally, you must take AP or IB courses to demonstrate your academic ability. More specifically, your AP and IB courses must be related to the area of your selected course of study. For example, if you are planning a career in engineering or IT, courses related to mathematics, calculus and physics will help you.

If your GPA is less than 3.3 and higher than 3 then you need higher SAT or ACT scores to compensate. You need to have a minimum of 2.9 GPA, to secure admission at MSU. Below this, chances of admission will be very slim.

Can I Get Into MSU Without SAT Or ACT?: Montana State University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process, but does not require them. Although, it is not strictly a requirement, but the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test for 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.

Montana State University (MSU) SAT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.

Montana State University Average SAT Score: 1176
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Montana State University is a 1176 on the 1600 SAT scale. This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1176 on SAT
If your score is lower than 1070, you may appear again to improve your score to have better chances of admissions at MSU. It is not strange to appear multiple times for SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.

SAT 25th Percentile: 1070
SAT 75th Percentile: 1300

It means that if you have scored less than 1070 then you are below the most of the admitted students at MSU and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1300 or more, then your chances of admissions are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer score than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200

Can I get into Montana State University (MSU) with a 1300 SAT?.

With 1300 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Montana State University (MSU) are good but the admission staff at MSU tests your all round personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores and IP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you could not perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will definitely increase your chances of admissions. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, then your chances of admissions are high.

Montana State University (MSU) ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at is 24. This score makes Montana State University slightly competetive for ACT scores. You need to well to score 24 on ACT
ACT 25th Percentile: 20
ACT 75th Percentile: 27

Can I get into Montana State University with a 27 ACT?

With 27 ACT Score, your chances of admission at Montana State University are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. College Admission process tests your all round personality and your academics. your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores and IP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you could not perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.

SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send

You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at Montana State University. More importantly, comparing your scores with 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you better understanding of where you stand. If your score in SAT is near to the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send SAT score. If your ACT score is near to the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.

But there is more, if both of your scores are in same range, then it is better to send ACT Score, as in case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.

Here it is how: When sending ACT Score, you can yourself decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.

View list of all colleges with Average ACT score of 24.

MSU Profile

Name: Montana State University (MSU)

City: Bozeman

URL: https://www.montana.edu/

State: Montana

Type: Public

Zip: 59717

Campus: Main

Accredited by: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

How much a degree from MSU Cost?

The average annual cost of the degree at Montana State University is USD: 22358. As most of the students receive Pell grants and Federal Grant the average annual net price a student has to pay at Montana State University is USD: 19413

How can I get a scholarship?

20.27% of the students are receiving Pell grants and 33.93 percent are receiving federal grants. So it is a better choice to go to MSU and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.

At Montana State University, you will have no problem in receiving any scholarship form federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist MSU as your choice in the form.

How much a MSU Graduate makes?

The average annual salary of the MSU graduate after 4-6 year of graduation is USD 51532. An average MSU graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).

The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 36834

Degree Programs

Bachelor Programs

Full list of All degree programs offered by Montana State University.

Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard, US Department of Education, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.