Washington State University (WSU) vs MSU-Bozeman

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	Montana State University	Washington State University
Overview
Location	Bozeman, Montana	Pullman, Washington
Campus setting	Town: Remote	Town: Distant
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	76.0%	81.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	73.0%	85.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $38 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1070 - 1300	N/A
ACT range	20 - 27	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	26.0%
Students submitting ACT score	42.0%
Total number of applicants	26,741	18,197
Total number of admissions given out	19,522	15,607
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,874	4,007
Yield rate	19.8%	25.7%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $23,286 Out of state: $44,022	In state: $28,767 Out of state: $44,083
Average net price	$17,821	$11,877
Tuition	In state: $5,654 Out of state: $26,086	In state: $10,457 Out of state: $25,773
Room & board	$10,400	Room/dormitory: $7,400 Meal plan: $4,350
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	92.0% Average amount $6,287	86.0% Average amount $9,993
Students receiving federal student loan	35.0% Average amount $5,191	27.0% Average amount $5,042
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $17,984	3.0% Average amount $15,454

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	14,648 Men 53.5% Women 46.5%	24,278 Men 45.9% Women 54.1%
Graduate students	2,140 Men 42.0% Women 58.0%	5,565 Men 44.7% Women 55.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Low
Out-of-state students	66.1%	15.2%
International students	2.3%	5.7%
Campus local/setting	Town: Remote	Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity	4,603	7,043
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Montana Washington Colorado California Oregon	Washington California Oregon Idaho Hawaii

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Education Business Health Professions Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Business Engineering Social Sciences Health Professions Education
Students to faculty ratio	18:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome
Graduation rate	54.5%	59.5%
Dropout rate	42.1%	38.1%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,934 Year 2: $72,325 Year 3: $85,881 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,974 Year 2: $65,387 Year 3: $73,528 Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,082 Year 2: $63,997 Year 3: $73,041 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,740 Year 2: $61,090 Year 3: $73,003 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $55,299 Year 2: $57,860 Year 3: $64,492 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,767 Year 2: $59,411 Year 3: $59,227 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,660 Year 2: $56,234 Year 3: $58,924 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,052 Year 2: $53,671 Year 3: $57,998 Environmental Design (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $20,010 Year 2: $38,289 Year 3: $55,431 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $53,200 Year 2: $41,565 Year 3: $53,365	Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $135,393 Year 3: $143,888 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $110,911 Year 2: $123,178 Year 3: $127,531 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,080 Year 2: $100,915 Year 3: $120,737 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $111,957 Year 2: $112,073 Year 3: $119,910 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $106,275 Year 2: $105,813 Year 3: $117,478 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $82,971 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $96,760 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,468 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $88,746 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $80,693 Year 2: $75,204 Year 3: $81,535 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,112 Year 2: $68,808 Year 3: $80,939 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,531 Year 2: $72,881 Year 3: $79,650

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences in location and campus environment between Washington State University (WSU) and Montana State University (MSU)?

WSU is located in Pullman, Washington, a more rural setting in the Palouse region of Eastern Washington. The campus has a classic college town feel. MSU is situated in Bozeman, Montana, a city that offers a blend of outdoor recreation and a growing urban environment. Bozeman is known for its proximity to the Rocky Mountains and Yellowstone National Park, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities.
How do the academic programs compare at WSU and MSU?

Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. WSU is particularly strong in agriculture, engineering, and veterinary medicine. MSU excels in engineering, agriculture, and natural sciences, with a notable focus on programs related to the outdoors and the environment. Both universities have strong research programs.
What is the cost of attendance like at WSU and MSU?

Tuition and fees vary depending on residency status and the specific program. Generally, both universities offer competitive tuition rates compared to other universities in the region. You should consult the official university websites for the most up-to-date information on tuition, fees, and financial aid opportunities, as costs can change annually.
How do the student populations and campus cultures differ?

WSU has a larger student body than MSU. WSU's campus culture is known for its strong sense of community and school spirit, particularly around athletics. MSU has a slightly smaller, but still substantial, student population. MSU's culture emphasizes outdoor recreation and a more relaxed atmosphere, reflecting its location in Montana.
What are the athletic programs like at WSU and MSU?

WSU competes in the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference, offering a high level of competition in various sports, including football and basketball. MSU competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and the Big Sky Conference for other sports. MSU has a strong athletic program, particularly in football and skiing, and offers a more intimate athletic experience.
What are the career services and opportunities like at WSU and MSU?

Both universities provide career services to assist students with job searching, internships, and career planning. WSU, with its larger network and location, may offer more opportunities in certain fields, particularly those related to engineering and agriculture. MSU's location in Bozeman provides access to a growing tech industry and opportunities related to outdoor recreation and environmental fields.
How do the research opportunities compare at WSU and MSU?

Both universities are research-intensive institutions. WSU has a strong research presence across various disciplines, with significant funding in areas like agriculture, engineering, and health sciences. MSU is also a major research university, with a focus on areas like environmental science, engineering, and agriculture, often tied to its location and natural resources.
What are the housing options like at WSU and MSU?

Both universities offer a variety of on-campus housing options, including residence halls and apartments. WSU has a larger selection of on-campus housing due to its larger student population. MSU also provides a range of on-campus housing, and off-campus housing options are readily available in both Pullman and Bozeman.
How does the surrounding community influence the student experience at WSU and MSU?

The community surrounding WSU, Pullman, is a classic college town, with a strong emphasis on supporting the university and its students. The community offers a range of services and activities geared towards students. Bozeman, the home of MSU, is a growing city with a vibrant downtown area, offering a wider range of cultural and recreational opportunities, including access to outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, and fishing.
Which university is better for someone interested in outdoor recreation?

MSU is generally considered to be the better choice for students passionate about outdoor recreation. Its location in Bozeman provides unparalleled access to the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone National Park, and numerous opportunities for skiing, hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities. While WSU offers some outdoor opportunities, its location is less directly connected to major outdoor destinations.

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