Address: PO Box 172760, 59717 Bozeman, Montana, United States
Agriculture, Nursing, Engineering
Montana State University opened as the Agricultural College of the State of Montana, founded in 1893, and its main campus lies in Bozeman. The institution is a land-grant college, a status it received under the Morrill Act of 1862. The name changed more than once during the twentieth century before Montana State University was adopted in 1965.
On the Bozeman campus the academic units include colleges of Agriculture, Arts and Architecture, Business, Engineering, Letters and Science, Nursing, and a combined College of Education, Health and Human Development, together with a Graduate School. Two long-standing units are the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station and the Museum of the Rockies.
The university’s own website presents it as a land-grant university and highlights MSU Extension, which supports local communities across the state and runs the Montana 4-H programme. Prospective students and researchers should consult the official site for current degree lists, tuition, application deadlines and research opportunities, since programme offerings and figures change from year to year.
Domains taught:
Agriculture, AI and Machine Learning, Ecology and Sustainability, Engineering, Life Sciences, Optics, Software Engineering
Diplomas*:
Bachelor, Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
Land-grant university in Montana. Strong focus on research relevant to the Northern Rockies ecosystem (Yellowstone). Programs in nursing, engineering, and film.
Research:
A research university with strengths in agricultural sciences, environmental science, optics and photonics, and health sciences relevant to rural and Native American populations.
Famous Alumnis:
Jan Stenerud, Sarah Vowell, Dennis Washington (attended briefly)
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
3000
Current students***:
17000
Foreign students***:
2%
Cumulative former students***:
100000
Pros
Beautiful location near Yellowstone National Park, strong programs in agriculture and environmental science, growing research profile.
Cons
Located in a smaller city in a more remote state, colder climate, some programs less nationally prominent.
Best For
Students interested in agriculture, environmental science, nursing, or engineering, often valuing access to outdoor recreation and research opportunities related to the Yellowstone ecosystem.
Colorado State University: This public university in Fort Collins lists agricultural sciences, veterinary medicine and environmental science as specialties, a farm-and-field mix like Bozeman's.
Utah State University offers a point of comparison. Located in Logan, this public university lists agriculture, aerospace engineering and water resources engineering, mirroring the agriculture and engineering mix on the Montana side.
Compare Washington State University. Pullman hosts this public institution, whose recorded strengths are agriculture, veterinary medicine and engineering, a close overlap with the Montana college lineup.
Another option is Oregon State University. In Corvallis, this public university combines forestry, oceanography and agricultural sciences, giving a natural-resources emphasis.
Kansas State University: Manhattan is home to this public university that lists agriculture, veterinary medicine and engineering among its specialties.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
University of Guelph offers a point of comparison. In Canada, a public university in Guelph whose recorded specialties are agriculture and food science, veterinary medicine and environmental sciences.
Compare University of Saskatchewan. In Canada, this public university in Saskatoon lists agriculture and bioresources, water security and health sciences.
Another option is Universität Hohenheim. In Germany, a public university in Stuttgart specialising in agricultural sciences and bioeconomy, together with food science and biotechnology.
Jeonbuk National University: In South Korea, a public university in Jeonju where engineering, agriculture and life sciences make up the directory specialties.
University of Reading offers a point of comparison. In the United Kingdom, a public university with agriculture, meteorology and business (Henley) listed as its strengths.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
What did Montana State University start out as?
It was founded in 1893 as the Agricultural College of the State of Montana. Its names changed several times before the present one was adopted in 1965.
Where is Montana State University located?
Its main campus is in Bozeman, Montana. The Bozeman campus is the one described here and is the home of the main colleges and research units.
What does land-grant status mean at MSU?
Under the Morrill Act of 1862 the institution became a land-grant college. Today MSU Extension serves communities across Montana and includes the 4-H programme.
Which colleges make up the Bozeman campus?
There are colleges of Agriculture, Arts and Architecture, Business, Engineering, Letters and Science, Nursing, and a combined College of Education, Health and Human Development, plus a Graduate School. Students choose among these when applying.
Does the university run any museums or experiment stations?
Yes, the Museum of the Rockies and the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station are among its facilities, and Britannica lists both.
Where can applicants find tuition and admission details?
The official Montana State University website lists current programmes, costs, deadlines and requirements. Figures such as tuition vary by residency and programme, so the official pages are the reliable reference.
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
Innovation.world is not affiliated with this school/university. We recommend to contact them directly on their website for any special request.
To complete or correct any information here or share your opinion, please comment below or > send us a direct message <.
