Mountains & Minds | MSU at a Glance

  • Three people, on a building roof with mountains in the background, standing next to photonics equipment. |

    MSU designated 'very high research activity'

    MSU is one of 130 universities nationwide - out of 4,338 institutions - to be included in this category. And of those, MSU is one of only two whose Carnegie enrollment profile is "very high undergraduate."

  • Aerial view of campus |

    MSU recognized for helping alums land jobs

    The list is from the career guidance site Zippia, which lists schools in each state with the best record of helping their graduates get jobs after graduation.

  • The sun rises over Wilson Hall at Montana State University on the left, while Montana Hall bathes in sunlight on the right side of the image during fall 2019. | Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez/MSU

    MSU announces fall enrollment

    MSU announced its fall enrollment and its latest graduation and student retention rates, all of which are among the highest the university has seen in a generation.

    Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez/MSU

  • Group of students posing in front of an ornate glass wall. | MSU photo by Kelly Gorham

    Four MSU students named 2019 Goldwater scholars

    The winners of the nation's top scholarship for undergraduate students majoring in the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics brought MSU’s total number of Goldwater scholars to 74.

    MSU photo by Kelly Gorham

Academic Excellence
Very High Research
 
Engagement & Outreach
About Bozeman

 

MSU Quick Facts MSU Quick Facts
       
Top 10 Student Home States
Montana 7,742
Washington 1,402
Colorado 1,263
California 1,178
Minnesota 589
Oregon 417
Idaho 382
Alaska 329
Wyoming 208
Illinois  196
Established 1893 - MSU Bobcats NCAA DIV 1
Estimated Cost of Attendance (per year)
2019 / 2020 Resident Nonresident
Tuition/Fees $7,528 $28,264
Room/Board $11,100 $11,100
Books/Supplies $1,450 $1,450
Total Estimated Cost $20,078 $40,814

 

 

President Waded Cruzado

President

Dr. Waded Cruzado took office as Montana State University's 12th president in 2010.

"At MSU, we believe in transforming lives through education and empowerment."

MSU Mission

As the state's land-grant university, Montana State integrates education, creation of knowledge and art and service to communities.

 

MSU Vision

Montana State University will transform lives and communities in the people's interest.

 

Brain with gears iconAcademic Excellence

MSU prepares students to graduate equipped for careers and further education. MSU’s low student to faculty ratio means accessible professors and hands-on learning opportunities. Working alongside world-class faculty mentors, students discover new knowledge that helps to improve quality of life around the globe. This supportive and collaborative learning environment helps students succeed in competing for national and international scholarships and awards. In the past year alone, MSU students have received prestigious awards including:

  • Goldwater scholarships (math, science & engineering)
  • Rhodes Scholarship (to study at Oxford University)
  • Marshall Scholarship (grad school in the United Kingdom)
  • Udall Scholarship (to pursue careers in the environment)
  • Newman Civic Fellow (public leadership)

One of a kind - MSU is in a class of its own The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classifies MSU as one of only 131 colleges and universities in the nation (out of more than 4,300) that maintain “very high research activity.”

Of those 131 institutions, only 69 are classified as having “significant commitment to community engagement.”

And of those 69, MSU is the only college or university with a Carnegie enrollment profile of “very high undergraduate.”

This means that MSU undergraduate students have unique access to cutting-edge research and creative opportunities – and to an engaging educational experience that fully integrates learning, discovery and service.

Students learning in a classroom
 
Students working in a lab

Accreditation

MSU maintains and exceeds a variety of accreditation requirements that were designed to ensure high quality educational standards. MSU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. During its most recent re-accreditation, MSU was commended for an "extremely high level of productivity and effectiveness." In addition to national accreditation, many of MSU’s colleges, departments and programs also maintain rigorous accreditation credentials through discipline specific agencies.

 

Microscope Top Research University

Microscope icon MSU is recognized nationally for its prominence in research among leading public research universities. MSU is among the top 3 percent of colleges and universities in the nation for research expenditures. Because of its high undergraduate profile, MSU undergraduate students get opportunities to do research of national importance on a variety of topics, opportunities that would typically be reserved for graduate students at other universities. That’s one reason why MSU is a national leader in producing winners of the Goldwater Scholarship, the nation’s premier award for undergraduates in math and science fields.

$100 Million Research expenditures at MSU typically exceed $120 million annually and top research departments include immunology, chemistry and biochemistry, transportation, physics, and land resources and environmental sciences; while much of the research funding from the National Institutes of Health, Departments of Energy, Defense and Agriculture, and private sources.

Lightbulb icon MSU is the largest research university in Montana and the largest research and development entity of any kind in the state, which translates into many opportunities for students to conduct meaningful hands-on research and creative projects as well as economic prosperity for the area. MSU research has led to significant discoveries that are changing the world. MSU holds more than 299 active technology licenses. In addition, 63 active patents and 44 plant variety certificates have been issued for MSU discoveries with many more pending.

 

Globe Engagement and Outreach

Students, professors and staff at MSU work together with community partners to exchange and apply knowledge and resources that improve the world. MSU has earned The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching's engagement classification. The designation recognizes commitment to teaching that encourages volunteer service in communities and spreading of knowledge that benefits the public. In addition, through courses, clubs and organized events, students participate in many local, national and international service-learning projects that enable them to apply their education while strengthening communities.

Community Engagement

Following a rigorous application and evaluation process, MSU was awarded the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching’s community engagement classification. This designation recognizes MSU’s commitment to teaching that encourages volunteer service in communities and spreading of knowledge that benefits the public. Service and outreach projects are embedded in MSU’s coursework, research and extracurricular activities to enhance learning and improve lives around the world.

MSU’s Statewide Impact - MSU Extension

MSU Extension's impact reaches every county of Montana, click to learn more

 

Mountain IconAbout Bozeman

Bozeman is a small town with big energy. Perhaps best known for outdoor recreation, Bozeman also has the cultural amenities of a much larger city including a symphony, opera, and ballet companies, as well as many locally-owned shops, restaurants and galleries that make Downtown vibrant. Skiing, hiking, camping, biking, climbing, and fishing options are endless because Bozeman is surrounded by five mountain ranges including the Bridger, Tobacco Root, Big Belt, Gallatin and Madison ranges; and the Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone Rivers are all within a half hour of campus. There is plenty of National Forest land to explore, and Yellowstone National Park is just 90 miles away.

Two Great Ski Areas Nearby: Bridger Bowl and Big Sky Resort
Downtown Bozeman at night

Bragging Rights

Bozeman’s community, access to trails in town and proximity to world class skiing have been recognized by the likes of National Geographic, Outside and the New York Post.