Paying for MSU

What does it cost to attend Montana State University?

The 2025 tuition & fees of Montana State University is $8,460 for in-state and $33,287 for out-of-state students. MSU's tuition & fees has risen more than 5% this year.

Its tuition & fees is a little bit lower than the average tuition for R1 Universities' tuition of $39,763 based on out-of-state tuition rate.

Based on the last year increase rate, The 2026 estimated tuition & fees at MSU is $8,855 for Montana residents and $35,358 for out-of-state students, a 6.2% increase compared to 2025's rate.

MSU 2025 Tuition & Fees
YearIn-StateOut-of-StateR1 Universities' Average
2023-2024$8,083 $31,337$38,374
2024-2025$8,460$33,287$39,763
Change % 2024-20254.66%6.22%3.62%
2025-2026 Estimate$8,855$35,358$41,202
Explore Montana State University

How much do you actually pay at MSU?

The living costs at MSU is $18,026 and it is increased by 5.18% compared to the previous year for both on-campus and off-campus stay.

The MSU's 2025 COA is $27,936 for in-state and $52,763 for out-of-state students for living on campus. The off-campus COA is $27,936 for in-state and $52,763 for out-of-state students.

69% of enrolled students have received grants or scholarships, and the average aid amount is $8,543. It could cover 25.66% of the full tuition amount.

After receiving the financial aid, the net price is $19,393 for in-state and $44,220 for out-of-state students..

Montana State University 2025 Cost of Attendance (COA)
On-CampusOff-Campus
In-StateOut-StateIn-StateOut-State
Tuition & Fees$8,460$33,287$8,460$33,287
Room & Board$14,000$14,000
Personal Expenses$4,026$4,026
Books & Supplies$1,450$1,450
COA$27,936$52,763$27,936$52,763
COA with Financial Aid$19,393$44,220$19,393$44,220

MSU 4-Years Tuition

How Much is MSU tuition for 4 years?

MSU's 4-years tuition is $34,793 for in-state and $138,095 for out-of-state students, based on current tuition and change rate.

MSU 4 Years Tuition & Fees Estimates
ResidencyFreshmenSophomoreJuniorSenior4 Years Total
Class of 2029 (Entering Fall 2025)In-State$8,554$8,650$8,746$8,843$34,793
Out-of-State$33,775$34,269$34,771$35,280$138,095
Class of 2030 (Entering Fall 2026)In-State$8,650$8,746$8,843$8,942$35,181
Out-of-State$34,269$34,771$35,280$35,797$140,117
Class of 2031 (Entering Fall 2027)In-State$8,746$8,843$8,942$9,041$35,573
Out-of-State$34,771$35,280$35,797$36,321$142,169
Class of 2032 (Entering Fall 2028)In-State$8,843$8,942$9,041$9,142$35,969
Out-of-State$35,280$35,797$36,321$36,853$144,252
Class of 2033 (Entering Fall 2029)In-State$8,942$9,041$9,142$9,244$36,370
Out-of-State$35,797$36,321$36,853$37,393$146,364

Net Price for 4 Years at MSU

Based on recent tuition increase rate, for the students who were admitted in Fall 2025, the estimated 4-years COA is $114,945 for Montana residents and $218,246 for out-of-state students.

MSU 4 Years COA
ResidencyFreshmenSophomoreJuniorSenior4 Years Total
Class of 2029 (Entering Fall 2025)In-State$28,252$28,572$28,896$29,224$114,945
Out-of-State$53,473$54,192$54,921$55,661$218,246
Class of 2030 (Entering Fall 2026)In-State$28,572$28,896$29,224$29,556$116,248
Out-of-State$54,192$54,921$55,661$56,411$221,185
Class of 2031 (Entering Fall 2027)In-State$28,896$29,224$29,556$29,891$117,567
Out-of-State$54,921$55,661$56,411$57,171$224,164
Class of 2032 (Entering Fall 2028)In-State$29,224$29,556$29,891$30,231$118,901
Out-of-State$55,661$56,411$57,171$57,942$227,184
Class of 2033 (Entering Fall 2029)In-State$29,556$29,891$30,231$30,575$120,252
Out-of-State$56,411$57,171$57,942$58,723$230,247

Actual COA after Receiving Financial Aid

After receiving the financial aid, the net price for 4 years of attending the school is $80,773 for Montana residents and $184,074 for out-of-state students.

MSU 4 Years COA after Receiving Financial Aid
ResidencyFreshmenSophomoreJuniorSenior4 Years Total
Class of 2029 (Entering Fall 2025)In-State$19,709$20,029$20,353$20,681$80,773
Out-of-State$44,930$45,649$46,378$47,118$184,074
Class of 2030 (Entering Fall 2026)In-State$20,029$20,353$20,681$21,013$82,076
Out-of-State$45,649$46,378$47,118$47,868$187,013
Class of 2031 (Entering Fall 2027)In-State$20,353$20,681$21,013$21,348$83,395
Out-of-State$46,378$47,118$47,868$48,628$189,992
Class of 2032 (Entering Fall 2028)In-State$20,681$21,013$21,348$21,688$84,729
Out-of-State$47,118$47,868$48,628$49,399$193,012
Class of 2033 (Entering Fall 2029)In-State$21,013$21,348$21,688$22,032$86,080
Out-of-State$47,868$48,628$49,399$50,180$196,075

MSU's Graduate Tuition

The graduate school tuition at Montana State University is $7,661 for in-state and $26,370 for out-of-state students. Detailed graduate program tuition and majors can be found at MSU graduate program page.

MSU Graduate Tuition & Fees
YearIn-StateOut-of-State
2023-2024$7,313 $24,863
2024-2025$7,661$26,370
Change % 2024-20254.76%6.06%
2025-2026$8,026$27,968

Tuition Per Credit Hour

For part-time and/or full-time students who take additional credits at MSU is $262 for Montana residents and $1,283 for out-of-state students. The graduate tuition per credit hour is $315 for Montana residents and $1,340 for out-of-state students.

Per Credit Hour Charge at MSU
YearIn-StateOut-of-State
Undergraduate2023-2024$252$1,210
2024-2025$262$1,283
2025-2026 (Estimate)$272$1,360
Graduate2023-2024$303$1,264
2024-2025$315$1,340
2025-2026 (Estimate)$327$1,421

MSU Tuition Charts

The following charts visualize tuition, fees, living costs, and other expenses at MSU. You can enlarge the chart to view detailed information.

Compare Tuition with Similar Colleges

The following table compares tuition & fees between Montana State University and its similar schools.

Compare Details
Tuition Comparison between MSU and Similar Colleges
In-StateOut-of-State
Montana State University$8,460$33,287
University of Northern Colorado$11,901$26,979
California State University-Sacramento$8,018$20,618
Southern Utah University$6,962$21,192
Northern Arizona University$12,619$20,044
University of Idaho$9,084$28,320

MSU Tuition Frequently Asked Questions

For the academic year 2024-2025, the undergraduate tuition & fees at MSU are $8,460 for Montana residents and $33,287 for out-of-state students.
The total cost of attendance (COA) at MSU for the academic year 2024-2025 includes tuition & fees, books & supplies, and living expenses. For in-state students, the estimated COA is $27,936 and $52,763 for out-of-state students. Actual costs may vary depending on housing choices and personal expenses.
It has been risen by 4.66% for Montana residents and increased by 6.22% for out-of-state rates compared to the previous year. The graduate tuition has been risen by 4.76% for Montana residents and increased by 6.06% for out-of-state rates compared to the previous year.
69% of MSU undergraduates receive grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $8,543 per student. Additional financial aid options are available through MSU's financial aid office.

In-State (Montana Residents): The projected 4-year cost for a degree is approximately $114,945, including tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, and other expenses. The tuition and fees alone are approximately $8,843 per year, which would total around $34,793 over four years.

Out-of-State: The projected 4-year cost for a degree is approximately $218,246. The tuition and fees are around $35,280 per year, totaling about $138,095 over four years.

MSU charges $262 per credit hour for in-state undergraduates and $1,283 for out-of-state undergraduates. Graduate students pay $315 (in-state) or $1,340 (out-of-state) per credit hour.

The in-state undergraduate tuition at MSU is lower than the average for similar schools ($12,338 - public Research University (very high research activity)).

The out-of-state undergraduate tuition at MSU is about the same as the average for similar schools ($31,723 - public Research University (very high research activity)).

The in-state graduate tuition at MSU is much lower than the average for similar schools ($14,181 - public Research University (very high research activity)).

The out-of-state graduate tuition at MSU is a little bit lower than the average for similar schools ($29,952 - public Research University (very high research activity)).

Ratings & Review

Share your experiences and thoughts about Montana State University. It will be a great help to applicants and prospective students!

Be the first reviewer
Compare Rivalry Schools
The following schools are frequently compared to MSU. Compare them with important perspectives.
Members In BSC
Montana State University is a member of Big Sky Conference (BSC). Check and Compare to other members.
Most Searched Montana Colleges (last 30 days)
Related Articles and Ads