Montana U vs Utah State University (USU)

Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, The University of Montana and Utah State University stand as two prominent institutions of higher learning, each offering a unique educational experience. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence and student success, they differ in several key aspects. The University of Montana boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. In contrast, Utah State University has a slightly lower acceptance rate, indicating a more selective admissions process. Furthermore, the two universities vary in their popular majors, with The University of Montana excelling in fields like forestry and environmental studies, while Utah State University shines in engineering and agriculture. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	The University of Montana	Utah State University
Overview
Location	Missoula, Montana	Logan, Utah
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Small
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	75.0%	74.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	82.1%	92.6%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $55
SAT range	1070 - 1280	1080 - 1310
ACT range	18 - 26	21 - 29
Students submitting SAT score	9.0%	13.0%
Students submitting ACT score	41.0%	79.0%
Total number of applicants	7,233	15,567
Total number of admissions given out	5,941	14,420
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,542	4,223
Yield rate	26.0%	29.3%
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: $23,736 Out of state: $44,720	In state: $22,168 Out of state: $37,288
Average net price	$15,228	$14,529
Tuition	In state: $5,352 Out of state: $26,112	In state: $8,042 Out of state: $23,162
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $4,730 Meal plan: $6,324	Room/dormitory: $2,410 Meal plan: $3,630
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	97.0% Average amount $6,340	86.0% Average amount $9,802
Students receiving federal student loan	44.0% Average amount $5,401	19.0% Average amount $4,808
Students taking out private loans	4.0% Average amount $13,104	2.0% Average amount $13,673

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	7,223 Men 41.9% Women 58.1%	24,255 Men 44.3% Women 55.7%
Graduate students	2,883 Men 37.0% Women 63.0%	3,171 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	29.5%
International students	1.9%	1.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	2,886	3,125
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	Utah Idaho California Colorado Texas

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Natural Resources and Conservation Biological and Biomedical Sciences Education	Liberal Arts Business Health Professions Social Sciences Education
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	21:1
Institutional accreditation	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome
Graduation rate	47.7%	55.8%
Dropout rate	49.1%	42.1%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $114,396 Year 2: $113,016 Year 3: $118,046 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $49,692 Year 2: $55,286 Year 3: $71,476 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $62,746 Year 2: $58,673 Year 3: $65,366 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $65,302 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $67,886 Year 2: $62,707 Year 3: $64,764 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $55,287 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $61,703 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $51,687 Year 2: $52,433 Year 3: $59,094 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $44,412 Year 2: $47,260 Year 3: $52,044 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,236 Year 2: $39,729 Year 3: $50,914 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $51,604 Year 2: $45,852 Year 3: $48,041	Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $76,930 Year 3: $91,309 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $79,921 Year 2: $72,587 Year 3: $83,986 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $82,635 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $80,718 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,903 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $78,293 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,345 Year 2: $64,990 Year 3: $75,576 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,935 Year 2: $63,501 Year 3: $75,056 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $55,303 Year 2: $58,334 Year 3: $72,352 Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,967 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $71,503 Air Transportation (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,228 Year 2: $35,416 Year 3: $70,839 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,717 Year 2: $61,728 Year 3: $69,682

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Montana and Utah State University?

The University of Montana (UM) is a public university located in Missoula, Montana, known for its strong liberal arts programs, particularly in environmental studies, journalism, and creative writing. It has a smaller, more intimate campus feel. Utah State University (USU), located in Logan, Utah, is a land-grant university with a broader focus, including strong programs in agriculture, engineering, and education. USU tends to be larger and offers a wider range of undergraduate and graduate programs.
Which university is larger, the University of Montana or Utah State University?

Utah State University is significantly larger than the University of Montana. USU has a larger student body overall, including both undergraduate and graduate students.
How do the locations of the University of Montana and Utah State University differ?

The University of Montana is situated in Missoula, a vibrant city nestled in the Rocky Mountains of western Montana, offering abundant outdoor recreational opportunities. Utah State University is located in Logan, Utah, a smaller city in the Cache Valley, also surrounded by mountains but with a more rural setting. Missoula tends to have a more progressive and artsy vibe, while Logan has a more traditional, family-oriented atmosphere.
Which university is known for its environmental science programs?

Both universities offer strong environmental science programs, but the University of Montana is particularly well-regarded in this field. Its location in the heart of the Rocky Mountains provides unparalleled access to field research opportunities and a strong connection to conservation efforts.
What are the tuition costs like at the University of Montana compared to Utah State University?

Tuition costs can vary depending on residency status and specific programs. Generally, Utah State University tends to have slightly lower tuition rates for both in-state and out-of-state students compared to the University of Montana. However, it's essential to check the most current tuition rates on each university's official website for the most accurate information.
How do the campus cultures compare between the University of Montana and Utah State University?

The University of Montana has a reputation for a more independent and outdoorsy student body, with a strong emphasis on environmental awareness and social justice. Utah State University has a more traditional college atmosphere, with a greater emphasis on school spirit and a larger Greek life presence. USU also has a significant population affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Which university offers more programs in agriculture?

Utah State University, as a land-grant university, has a more extensive range of programs in agriculture and related fields compared to the University of Montana. USU's College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences is a major focus of the university.
What kind of research opportunities are available at each university?

Both the University of Montana and Utah State University offer research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. UM's research strengths lie in areas like environmental science, wildlife biology, and forestry. USU has strong research programs in agriculture, engineering, and aerospace studies. The specific opportunities available will depend on your field of study.
How do the athletic programs compare?

Both universities compete in NCAA Division I athletics. The University of Montana's athletic teams are known as the Grizzlies, and they compete in the Big Sky Conference. Utah State University's teams are called the Aggies, and they compete in the Mountain West Conference. USU generally has a higher profile in football and basketball.
Which university is better for someone interested in journalism or creative writing?

The University of Montana has a strong reputation for its journalism and creative writing programs. Its School of Journalism is well-regarded, and the university has a vibrant literary scene. While USU offers programs in communication, UM is generally considered the stronger choice for those specifically interested in journalism or creative writing.
What is the student-faculty ratio like at each university?

The University of Montana generally has a slightly lower student-faculty ratio than Utah State University. This can potentially lead to smaller class sizes and more individualized attention from professors at UM.
How do the career services compare at the University of Montana and Utah State University?

Both universities offer career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career planning. Utah State University, with its larger size and broader range of programs, may have a slightly larger career services department with more resources. However, the quality of career services can vary depending on the specific department and the student's field of study at either institution.

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