Montana State University Acceptance Rate
Bozeman, Montana · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 21,975
- Admitted
- 19,081
- Yield
- 19%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Montana State University's acceptance rate has risen from 83.8% in 2014–15 to 86.8% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 13,799 to 21,975 (+59%) over that period.
Its 86.8% rate makes Montana State University more selective than about 28% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 6 tracked Montana schools, it is more selective than about 50%.
Montana State University has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 19% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 13,799 | 11,570 | 83.8% | 2,941 |
| 2015–16 | 14,816 | 12,277 | 82.9% | 3,018 |
| 2016–17 | 15,996 | 13,256 | 82.9% | 3,503 |
| 2017–18 | 16,769 | 13,937 | 83.1% | 3,356 |
| 2018–19 | 18,637 | 15,226 | 81.7% | 3,387 |
| 2019–20 | 19,142 | 15,684 | 81.9% | 3,366 |
| 2020–21 | 18,892 | 15,260 | 80.8% | 3,259 |
| 2021–22 | 26,741 | 19,522 | 73% | 3,874 |
| 2022–23 | 28,794 | 21,116 | 73.3% | 3,752 |
| 2023–24 | 21,975 | 19,081 | 86.8% | 3,634 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 11,508 | 9,952 | 86.5% |
| Men | 10,189 | 8,890 | 87.3% |
| Unknown | 278 | 239 | 86% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 530–640 | 25% |
| SAT Math | 530–630 | |
| ACT Composite | 20–27 | 41% |
How Montana State University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Montana State University's acceptance rate?
Montana State University's acceptance rate is 86.8% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (19,081 admitted of 21,975 applicants).
Is Montana State University test optional?
Montana State University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Montana State University?
Montana State University received 21,975 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 19,081.
What SAT score do you need for Montana State University?
Admitted students at Montana State University typically scored 530–640 on SAT Reading/Writing and 530–630 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Montana State University getting harder to get into?
Montana State University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 83.8% in 2014–15 to 86.8% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: https://www.montana.edu/.