Is Montana State University test optional?

We haven't confirmed Montana State University's test policy for 2026–27. Check their admissions site; many colleges have changed their policy since 2020.

What is Montana State University's acceptance rate?

82% of applicants were admitted in 2025–26, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 17,786 of 21,652 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 46%, from 14,816 in 2015 to 21,652 in 2024, and Montana State University's admit rate went from 83% to 82%.

What ACT score do you need for Montana State University?

29% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 21–27, with a median of 24. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1070–1290 works out to about 21–27.

What GPA do you need for Montana State University?

There's no published cutoff. First-year students averaged a 3.51 high school GPA, and 21% of those who reported a class rank were in their top 10%, per the Common Data Set 2025–26. Colleges compute GPA differently, so compare it loosely.

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What SAT score do you need for Montana State University? (Middle 50%: 1070–1290)

First-year students at Montana State University who sent an SAT scored 1070–1290, with a median of 1200 (Common Data Set 2025–26). Montana State University admits 82% of applicants.

Montana State University · Bozeman, MT

Where your score lands at Montana State University

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1070–1290, median 1200

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Montana State University is for you and whether to send your score.

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Montana State University by the numbers

Admit rate: 82%
Middle 50% SAT: 1070–1290
Median SAT: 1200
About on the ACT: 21–27
Sent an SAT: 14%

Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS

Montana State University admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 46%, from 14,816 in 2015 to 21,652 in 2024, and Montana State University's admit rate went from 83% to 82%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	21,652	17,786	82%
2023	21,975	19,081	87%
2022	28,794	21,116	73%
2021	26,741	19,522	73%
2020	18,892	15,260	81%
2019	19,142	15,684	82%
2018	18,637	15,226	82%
2017	16,769	13,937	83%
2016	15,996	13,256	83%
2015	14,816	12,277	83%

In fall 2024, 3,612 of the 17,786 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at Montana State University

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?*

Under 1020Far reachHold
1020–1060ReachHold
1070–1190TargetHold
1200–1280TargetSend
1290 and upLikelySend

90010001100120013001400

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.

Montana State University SAT sections, ACT, GPA and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	520	590	640
SAT Reading and Writing	540	610	660
SAT total	1070	1200	1290
ACT composite	21	24	27

Of enrolled first-year students, 14% sent an SAT and 29% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.

Average high school GPA: 3.51; 99% of new students reported one
Top 10% of their class: 21%; of new students who reported a rank

Montana State University cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $22,499; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 57%
Median earnings: $53,263; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 16,637

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like Montana State University

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

More colleges in Montana

Rocky Mountain College

Every college for an SAT of1070 1200 1290

Sources

Montana State University Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
Montana State University website
Montana State University

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1070–1290, and the median was 1200. At 1200 or higher you're above half of them. Montana State University admits 82% of applicants.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

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A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$