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Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana

17,165 Students on Campus
Bozeman Location
57,000 Metro Population
17,165 Students on Campus
Bozeman Location
57,000 Metro Population

About This Campus

Montana State University is a land-grant institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs in liberal arts, basic sciences, and the professional areas of agriculture, architecture, business, education, engineering, and nursing, all of which relate to the needs of a technological society. The University was founded in 1893 and today has over 17,000 students, almost 600 tenure track faculty, and another 200 professionals engaged in research. MSU is located in Bozeman, city of over 50,000, situated in a scenic area of the country, just 90 miles north of Yellowstone National Park and within an easy drive of Teton and Glacier National Parks. Situated at the foot of the northern Rockies, Bozeman offers a variety of year-round activities for the outdoor enthusiast. Superb fishing, hunting, skiing, rock/ice climbing, kayaking, rafting, and camping are at MSU's doorstep along with a number of historical sites named by Lewis and Clark's expedition.

Native American Studies - MSU has 8 unique, native American tribal lands within its borders.

MSU has the only undergraduate degree in snow science in the country. The program uses surrounding mountain ranges as laboratories.

MSU science departments have Yellowstone National Park and the national forests to utilize as their outdoor laboratories.

Helpful Information

You will find that most of the student population enjoys being outside. Therefore, you will want to have some kind of transportation, either a bike or car. Parking on campus can be tricky but there is plenty of parking in the stadium lot. It is a 5-10 minute walk to campus from the stadium lot or students can use the free campus shuttle. The bus system is extensive throughout the valley and to the ski areas but will not take you to places like Yellowstone or Glacier National Parks, both good long drives away. Our winters can be long, snowy and cold. MSU Outdoor Recreation leads trips and programs for students and also rents a variety of gear at a low cost.

Location Information

Bozeman is located in southwest Montana and surrounded by five mountain ranges and sits at 5000 feet above sea level. It boasts four seasons, lakes, rivers, ski areas, trails for hiking, biking, a quaint downtown, and active music scene. Housing is very tight so if you are interested in living in on-campus housing, please apply for housing ASAP.

Academics

REGISTRATION:
TERM DATES:

Fall Start Date: 08/26/2026 - Fall End Date: 12/17/2026

Spring Start Date: 01/12/2027 - Spring End Date: 05/06/2027

CLOSED PROGRAMS:

Many upper division Film and Photography are closed but some exceptions may be made on an individual basis. Graphic Design, upper division Clinical Nursing, Music Technology, and Student Teaching are all closed programs.

RESTRICTED/LIMITED PROGRAMS:

Enrollment in upper division Business, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Psychology, and Education courses is limited. Incoming NSE students MUST have flexibility in course selection, despite the early registration date. Priority registration does not always ensure that students will be able to register for certain courses. Equivalent prerequisites and math-level requirements are strictly enforced for all courses that require them. Registration in Architecture and Art is very limited and restricted to majors only. A portfolio may be required.

NOTABLE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Biotechnology — The Biotechnology program has three concentrations: animal, plant, and microbial systems. The major prepares students for careers in biological and agricultural sciences.
  • Environmental Science — Our environmental sciences departments are vast and have Yellowstone National Park and the national forests to utilize as their laboratories.
  • Geology — Our geology programs are comprehensive and deeply integrated with the surrounding mountain ranges, which serve as living laboratories. Faculty-led field trips allow students to engage directly with ongoing research and real-world geological processes.
  • Native American Studies — MSU has 8 unique, native American tribal lands within its borders.
UNIQUE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Financial Engineering — Financial Engineering is a multidisciplinary field that emphasizes complex modeling and analysis of new financial economic instruments to manage risk, create strategic business opportunities, and access new markets.
  • Paleontology — The paleontology option in the Department of Earth Sciences is designed for those students who have a strong interest in either invertebrate or vertebrate fossils (evolution, biology of ancient organisms, the environment in which the organism lived, and the changes the fossil has undergone since death).
  • Snow Science — MSU has the only undergraduate degree in snow science in the country. Students have hands-on labs with avalanches and snow pack studies in the mountains surrounding Bozeman.
OPTIONS:

Honors Access: Yes

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS OPEN TO NSE STUDENTS:
Limited Closed

Conditions

GPA AND OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
  • General Eligibility Requirements
  • No students accepted from within my own state, province, or territory
  • No undocumented students accepted (for U.S. campuses only)
  • No DACA students accepted (for U.S. campuses only)
EXCHANGE PREFERENCES:
  • Full Year Exchange: Accepted
  • Single Term Exchange: Accepted
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (Visa Students):
  • Does your campus accept International Students (those already in the U.S. on a student visa)?
CANADIAN EXCHANGE:
Learn More
  • Receive from Canada: Will Accept Away/Home Pay
  • Accept international students studying in Canada on a visa? - No

Tuition/Finance

Figures per Semester are current as of 07/29/2026
TUITION:
  • Campus Budget
  • Fees are subject to change without notice
  • Home Tuition Payment: Available
  • Away Tuition Payment: Available
    Estimated cost: $4720.45
MAXIMUM CREDIT HOURS PER SEMESTER:
  • Home Payment: 12
  • Host Payment: 12
MISCELLANEOUS FEES:
Purpose
Amount
Period
Plan
Status
NSE Program Fee
$100
Year
Away & Home
Mandatory
Financial Aid for NSE Students. Regardless of Payment Plan, financial aid is awarded by and disbursed from your home campus.

Room/Meals

Figures per Semester are current as of 07/29/2026
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING PER SEMESER:
  • Is on-campus housing available? Yes
  • Is on-campus living required? No
  • Number of reserved housing spaces: 0
  • Average Room Cost (per term): $7290
  • On-Campus Housing
Off-CAMPUS HOUSING:
NOTES ABOUT ON-CAMPUS HOUSING:

Students are allowed to apply for housing before they are formally admitted, so please apply as soon as possible: https://www.montana.edu/housing. A housing deposit of $300 is required if choosing to apply for on-campus housing. Students only exchanging for the Fall semester and living on-campus, a Contract Release application must be submitted through the Housing Portal to cancel the housing contract for the spring semester.

NOTES ABOUT OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING:

Please reach out to the MSU-NSE Coordinator for recommendations on apartments near campus. Housing options differ in cost, amenities, and resident satisfaction, so it's worth comparing reviews before choosing a place to live.

MEAL PLANS:
  • Are meal plans available on campus? Yes
  • Is a meal plan purchase required for on-campus, non-apartment residence halls? Yes
  • Average Meal Plan Cost (per term): $300
  • Campus Meal Plans
NOTES ABOUT MEAL PLANS:

Students living off-campus may purchase commuter meal plans.

Fees are subject to change without notice.

Chance of Acceptance

Direct Placement for Spring 2027

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Limited

Direct placement is available for Spring 2027! Apply now and receive an immediate decision.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

Direct placement is available for Spring 2027! Apply now and receive an immediate decision.

Priority Placements for Academic Year 27/28

If this is your top choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Excellent

This campus accepts most (75%+) applicants. You may want to consider adding alternate choice campuses marked as OPEN or EXCELLENT to ensure placement.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

If this is your alternate choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Limited

This campus usually accepts less than 50% of students that request it. Be prepared to be placed at an alternative choice. If applying to a site with a 'limited' chance of placement, we suggest that you list a minimum of 3-5 campuses on your application, with one to two sites that have an OPEN or EXCELLENT chance of acceptance.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Resources

CAMPUS SOCIAL MEDIA: