Montana State University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at MSU was $5,824 a year for in-state students and $27,391 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, college tuition rises about 3% year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students find the actual cost of college is much less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make theprice of collegemore manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Tuition for international students at Montana State University is $27,391 per year.

Montana State University meets 63% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Montana State University is around $12,375 a year.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $24,900 per student, not including those with no debt.

Montana State University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Montana State University is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $5,824 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time.Non-Montana residents can expect to pay 27,391 per year for tuition.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a school where you are eligible for in-state tuition can drastically reduce the total cost of attending college. Take the time to confirm your state's criteria for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Montana colleges

Montana State University International Student Tuition

Montana State University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Montana State University usually pay around $27,391 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may qualify for private or Montana State University-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Montana State University:

•On-campus jobs •Loans from outsideMontana State University •Montana State University-specific loans •Montana State University-specific scholarships •International Students Tuition Waivers

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

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Montana State University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Montana State University.

Room and Board Costs at Montana State University

Housing and campus dining at Montana State University is $11,300 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining halls.

Board costs may vary depending on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at Montana State University

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have resources so that those with financial need to find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at Montana State University

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use public transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in a city is often pricey, but there may be more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Montana State University campus is located in a town in Montana.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, don’t forget to take into account the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Financial Breakdown for Montana State University

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to Montana State University.

Total Cost of Montana State University

What will the cost of attending Montana State University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$5,824
Out-of-State Tuition	$27,391
Room and Board	$11,300
Other expenses	$4,050

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at Montana State University

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In 2023, 4,375 of the 14,631 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Montana State University meets 63% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $12,375 a year. Around 45% of Montana State University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Montana State University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $24,900 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$20,785
Private Loans	$28,948

Most Common Loans for Montana State University Students
Federal Loans	45%
Private loans	7%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Montana State University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Montana State University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Montana State University awarded 3,309 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $22 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $6.43 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Montana State University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Montana State University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Montana State University was $12,375 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Montana State University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-1,673
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-598
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$32,269

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Montana State University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Montana State University's net cost calculator on their website.

Montana State University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Montana State University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

MSU has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - International Students

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Montana State University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Montana State University's endowment was valued at $252.6 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million.

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Learn More About Montana State University

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To learn more about Montana State University, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

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