
Montana State University (MSU), a public land-grant research university in Bozeman, Montana, is the largest and fastest-growing university in the state. MSU offers a wide range of academic options, extracurricular activities, and research opportunities to its large student body. In Fall 2023, the university enrolled over 16,000 students, including a significant number of international students and a diverse range of freshmen. With a rich history of student activism, MSU continues to be a vibrant and dynamic institution, fostering academic excellence and a well-rounded college experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of students | 16,841 (as of Fall 2021) |
| Number of international students | 356 (as of Fall 2023) |
| Number of students from other states | 2,540 (as of Fall 2021) |
| Number of students enrolled in Summer School 2021 | 4,016 |
| Number of students attending full-time | 12,984 (as of Fall 2021) |
| Number of students attending part-time | 3,857 (as of Fall 2021) |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 14,625 (as of Fall 2022) |
| Campus size | 1,170 acres |
| Number of students housed in residence halls | 4,200 |
| Number of degrees and certificates awarded | 133,651 (as of 2021) |
| Total number of students | Over 17,000 (as of 2024) |
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What You'll Learn

MSU's student population in 2023
The university offers a wide range of academic options, with over 250 choices for students, including baccalaureate degrees in 60 fields, master's degrees in 68 fields, and doctoral degrees in 35 fields. MSU also has a strong focus on research, with federal funding for research growing by 61% between 2000 and 2009, reaching $98.4 million. This emphasis on research is reflected in the "Core 2.0 curriculum," which encourages undergraduate students to engage in research or practice their art before graduation.
In terms of student demographics, MSU has a diverse student body, with students coming from all 56 counties in Montana, 49 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and 63 foreign countries in 2021. The average age of traditional freshmen is 18.3 years, while the average age of nontraditional freshmen is 25.8 years. The university houses approximately 4,200 students in its residence halls, with around 70% of them being freshmen.
MSU also has a rich history of student activism. In the late 1960s, there were protests against the prevention of English professor James Myers from assigning students to read James Baldwin's novel, "Another Country." Additionally, around 150 students rallied in front of Montana Hall in 1969 to request "co-ed and 'open visitation' dorms." More recently, in 2024, MSU set records for graduation and student retention, demonstrating the university's commitment to student success.
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MSU's ranking among US colleges
Montana State University (MSU) is the largest and fastest-growing university in Montana. In Fall 2023, it had an enrolment of 16,978 students, including 356 international students from 61 countries. The previous year, in Fall 2021, the university had a total enrolment of 16,841 students, with 12,984 (77%) attending full-time and 3,857 (23%) attending part-time. The entering first-time class of Fall 2021 had 3,868 students, with an average age of 18.3 years for traditional freshmen and 25.8 years for non-traditional freshmen.
MSU has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) since 1932. It offers over 250 academic options, ranging from arts and humanities to engineering and technology. The university has been recognised for its initiatives that empower students to graduate in four years, saving them time and money. It also provides career coaching to assist students in exploring and preparing for their future careers.
In terms of rankings, MSU has been included in lists of the top colleges or universities in each state where alumni are most likely to find jobs. However, specific rankings among all US colleges are not readily available.
When considering university rankings, it is important to note that various organisations use different methodologies and criteria. For example, the QS World University Rankings consider metrics such as academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, citations per faculty, and international faculty ratio. The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, on the other hand, use 18 performance indicators across five metrics: research environment, teaching quality, research quality, industry income, and international outlook.
According to THE's rankings for 2025, the top universities in the US are Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), followed by Harvard University and Princeton University. Public universities that ranked within the top 20 include the University of California, Berkeley; University of Michigan-Ann Arbor; and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). These rankings highlight the strong performance of universities in certain states, such as New York, California, Texas, and Massachusetts.
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MSU's student demographics in 2021
In the fall semester of 2021, Montana State University had a total enrollment of 16,841 students. Of these, 12,984 (77%) attended full time and 3,857 (23%) attended part-time. The entering first-time class of fall 2021 had 3,868 students. The average age of traditional freshmen in this group was 18.3 years, and the average age of non-traditional freshmen was 25.8 years. 34% (1,303) of the entering first-time students were Montana residents, while 65% were from other states (2,540) and less than 1% were from other countries (25).
MSU is the largest and fastest-growing university in Montana. In the summer of 2021, the university had 4,016 students. MSU has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) since 1932. The university has awarded 133,651 certificates and degrees in its 128-year history (1893-2021).
Bozeman, where MSU is located, has a population of 56,123 and is among the fastest-growing populations in the nation. The students at MSU have access to 1.8 million acres of nearby wilderness, as well as Yellowstone National Park.
In 2021, MSU had 356 international students representing 61 countries. The university has seen a decrease in Chinese enrollment, which has been attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-China rhetoric by former US President Donald Trump.
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MSU's student housing
Montana State University (MSU) offers a variety of housing options for its students, providing a comfortable and convenient on-campus living experience. With a total student population of just over 16,000, as of the 2022 fall semester, MSU prioritizes community-building and offers a range of residence halls and apartment-style accommodations to suit different needs and preferences.
Residence Halls
MSU has several traditional residence halls that are perfect for first-year students wanting a classic campus living experience. These halls offer single, double, and triple occupancy rooms, with shared bathrooms and common areas. The halls are co-ed, with male and female residents living on separate floors or wings. Residence halls at MSU include Gallatin, Langford, and Hapner Halls, which are located close to academic buildings and offer easy access to dining halls and campus amenities.
Apartment-Style Housing
For upper-class students, families, and graduate students, MSU provides apartment-style housing options that offer more independence and privacy. These apartments typically feature full kitchens, private bathrooms, and living areas. Some examples include Family and Graduate Housing, which offers one- to three-bedroom apartments, and Babcock and Hedges Halls, which provide suite-style accommodations with single or double bedrooms and shared living spaces.
Special Interest Housing
MSU also caters to students with specific interests through its special interest housing options. For instance, the Leadership and Community Engagement Floor in Langford Hall is ideal for students passionate about community service and leadership development. Similarly, the Wellness Floor in Gallatin Hall promotes a healthy lifestyle with like-minded peers.
Application and Room Selection Process
Applying for housing at MSU is straightforward. Students can submit their housing applications online, ranking their preferences for residence halls and room types. The university's Housing Office then assigns rooms based on availability and the student's preferences. Returning students participate in a room selection process where they can choose their specific room and roommates.
With a range of housing options, MSU ensures that students can find a suitable home away from home. The university's focus on community and engagement enhances the overall student experience, offering a supportive and enriching environment for academic success and personal growth. For more specific information, students can refer to the MSU Housing website, which provides detailed descriptions, photos, and floor plans of the various housing options available.
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MSU's scholarships and awards
Montana State University (MSU) offers a range of scholarships and awards to its students. The university is the largest and fastest-growing in Montana, with over 17,000 students as of 2024.
MSU Freshman Scholarships and Awards
MSU freshman scholarships and awards are available to students seeking undergraduate bachelor's degree programs. These include the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Scholarship, which is MSU's second-highest-value award. The WUE Scholarship offers a discount on tuition fees, valued at approximately $20,000 for Fall 2024. To be eligible, students must have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0. The WUE Scholarship is highly competitive, with only 1,000 offers available each year.
Achievement Awards
Achievement Awards are automatic, merit-based scholarships for non-resident freshmen with a high GPA. Award amounts vary up to $64,000 (up to $16,000 per year renewable) and are applied towards tuition fees. To maintain the scholarship throughout their four years at MSU, students must keep a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, enrol for a minimum of 15 credits per semester, and maintain non-resident status and continuous enrolment.
MSU Major Scholarship Awards
MSU offers several major scholarship awards through its Honors College. These include:
- The Truman Scholarship: Open to full-time junior-level students expecting to receive a baccalaureate degree between December 2024 and August 2025. Truman Scholars can receive up to $30,000 in funding and are eligible for priority admission to premier graduate schools and internship opportunities with federal agencies.
- The Goldwater Scholarship: Open to sophomores and juniors intending to pursue research careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, engineering, or computer science, with a GPA of 3.8 or higher. Goldwater Scholars can receive up to $7,500 per year for tuition, fees, books, and room and board.
- The Marshall Scholarship: Finances young Americans to study for a degree in the United Kingdom.
- The Schwarzman Scholarship Program: A one-year Master's degree program at Tsinghua University in China, focusing on public policy, international relations, or economics and business.
- The Udall Scholarship: Open to sophomores or juniors with a commitment to pursuing a career in environmental public policy or for outstanding Native American and Alaska Native students.
- The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation: Awards scholarships of up to $15,000 to students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Other Scholarships
MSU also offers the Presidential Scholarship to incoming freshmen with a high school non-weighted GPA of 3.7 or higher. Additionally, students can complete the general scholarship application in Cat $cholarships to be matched with other scholarship opportunities at MSU for which they may be eligible.
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Frequently asked questions
As of Fall 2023, there are 16,978 students enrolled at Montana State University, including 356 international students.
No, the number of students enrolled at MSU has been increasing over the years. In Fall 2021, the total enrollment was 16,841, and in Fall 2019, over 16,700 students attended MSU.
There were 3,868 first-time students enrolled at MSU in Fall 2021, with 34% of them being Montana residents.
As of Fall 2022, the undergraduate enrollment at MSU was 14,625 students.











































