More selective than 50% of Montana colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
25% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 41% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose MSU over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
We don't have MSU's Common Data Set yet, the college's own report of what it weighs in admissions, early decision and waitlist numbers. Work at MSU or have its file? Send it to us.
MSU SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, MSU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 540 | 645 |
| SAT math | 525 | 640 |
| ACT composite | 21 | 27 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1065 | 1285 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
MSU admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 82% | 540–645 | 525–640 | 21–27 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 87% | 530–640 | 530–630 | 20–27 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is MSU compared with other Montana colleges?
MSU has the 4th-lowest acceptance rate of 7 Montana colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Providence | 50% | 28% | $17,649 |
| 2 | Rocky Mountain College | 70% | 48% | $19,751 |
| 3 | Carroll College | 71% | 69% | $23,960 |
| 4 | Montana State University | 82% | 57% | $22,499 |
| 5 | Montana Technological University | 91% | 58% | $16,481 |
| 6 | The University of Montana | 96% | 48% | $16,784 |
| 7 | The University of Montana-Western | 100% | 51% | $16,558 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Montana colleges →
Who enrolls at MSU
College Scorecard; IPEDS
MSU admissions questions
What is the MSU acceptance rate?
Montana State University accepts 82% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 19,081 of 21,975 applicants were admitted.
Does MSU require the SAT or ACT?
Montana State University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 25% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 41% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for MSU?
The middle 50% of Montana State University enrolled first-year students scored 1065–1285 on the SAT and 21–27 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at MSU?
19% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (3,634 of 19,081).
Is MSU getting harder to get into?
Montana State University accepted 82% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 87% for Fall 2023.
Is MSU the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Montana State University overview