Montana State University

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

On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

Remember, the displayed price of tuition doesn't tell the full story. Many students pay far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. And, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college more manageable until you're done with college.

International students can expect to pay 27,391 per year for tuition at Montana State University.

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

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.

Attending a school where you are eligible for in-state tuition can drastically reduce the overall cost of college. Take the time to check your state's criteria for in-state residency. 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 additional requirements as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Montana colleges

Tuition for International Students at Montana State University

MSU has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Montana State University can expect to pay around $27,391 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

International students are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.. International students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at MSU:

•On-campus jobs •Loans from outsideMSU •MSU-specific loans •MSU-specific scholarships •International Students Tuition Waivers

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

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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 MSU.

Room and Board Costs at MSU

Housing and campus dining at MSU costs $10,836 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that allows you to eat in the MSU's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls.

Meal-plan costs can depend on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at MSU?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real 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 books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer resources so that those with demonstrated need to find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Transportation costs

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located 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 other hand getting around in a city may be expensive, but cities may offer more trains, busses and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. Montana State Universityis in a small town setting in Montana.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, be sure to leave some room in your budget for personal expenses, like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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Financial Breakdown for Montana State University

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to MSU.

How Much Does MSU Cost?

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

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$5,824
Out-of-State Tuition	$27,391
Room and Board	$10,836
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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Montana State University Financial Aid

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In 2022, 4,476 of the 14,668 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. MSU meets 64% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $12,138 a year. Around 49% of MSU undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. MSU graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $26,363 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$22,751
Private Loans	$31,806

Most Common Loans for MSU Students
Federal Loans	48%
Private loans	6%

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 MSU 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 2022, MSU awarded 3,353 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $22.3 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $6.46 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Montana State University Net Cost

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 MSU 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 MSU was $12,138 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of MSU seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-213.68
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-2,961.68
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$33,491.92

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 MSU 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 get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the MSU'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 make attending more affordable. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a 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.

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Learn More About Montana State University

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