MSU-Bozeman vs University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)

Montana State University and University of Alaska Fairbanks, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. MSU, nestled in the vibrant city of Bozeman, boasts a higher acceptance rate, allowing more students to pursue their academic aspirations. UAF, situated in the heart of Alaska's natural beauty, offers a unique blend of academic rigor and outdoor adventure. While MSU excels in fields like engineering, business, and nursing, UAF shines in disciplines such as natural resources, engineering, and education. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further distinctions, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional program offerings, to determine which university best aligns with your academic goals and personal preferences.
Montana State University logo

Montana State University

University of Alaska Fairbanks logo

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Overview

Location Bozeman, Montana Fairbanks, Alaska
Campus setting Town: Remote Suburb: 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 76.0% 68.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 73.0% 64.7%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $38

Graduate: $60
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $75
SAT range 1070 - 1300 1110 - 1360
ACT range 20 - 27 17 - 27
Students submitting SAT score 26.0% 12.0%
Students submitting ACT score 42.0% 16.0%
Total number of applicants 26,741 1,402
Total number of admissions given out 19,522 907
Admitted students who chose to enroll 3,874 678
Yield rate 19.8% 74.8%
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: $23,286

Out of state: $44,022
In state: $25,548

Out of state: $39,684
Average net price $17,821 $9,379
Tuition
In state: $5,654

Out of state: $26,086
In state: $5,616

Out of state: $19,200
Room & board $10,400
Room/dormitory: $5,150

Meal plan: $5,390
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

92.0%
Average amount $6,287
90.0%
Average amount $8,808
Students receiving federal student loan 35.0%
Average amount $5,191
21.0%
Average amount $5,312
Students taking out private loans 5.0%
Average amount $17,984
2.0%
Average amount $13,596

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 14,648
Men 53.5% Women 46.5%
5,844
Men 38.4% Women 61.6%
Graduate students 2,140
Men 42.0% Women 58.0%
982
Men 38.7% Women 61.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Very Low
Low
Out-of-state students 66.1% 17.1%
International students 2.3% 2.4%
Campus local/setting Town: Remote Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity 4,603 1,554
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Montana Washington Colorado California Oregon Alaska Washington California Oregon Florida

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Engineering
  • Education
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Business
  • Education
  • Law Enforcement and Firefighting
  • Health Professions
  • Engineering
Students to faculty ratio 18:1 12:1
Institutional accreditation Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome

Graduation rate 54.5% 38.4%
Dropout rate 42.1% 39.6%
Transferred out N/A 18.1%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $69,934
  • Year 2: $72,325
  • Year 3: $85,881
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $70,974
  • Year 2: $65,387
  • Year 3: $73,528
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,082
  • Year 2: $63,997
  • Year 3: $73,041
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,740
  • Year 2: $61,090
  • Year 3: $73,003
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $55,299
  • Year 2: $57,860
  • Year 3: $64,492
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $62,767
  • Year 2: $59,411
  • Year 3: $59,227
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,660
  • Year 2: $56,234
  • Year 3: $58,924
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $60,052
  • Year 2: $53,671
  • Year 3: $57,998
Environmental Design (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $20,010
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: $55,431
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,200
  • Year 2: $41,565
  • Year 3: $53,365
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $75,889
  • Year 3: $89,097
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,843
  • Year 2: $63,997
  • Year 3: $79,303
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $62,735
  • Year 2: $68,219
  • Year 3: $73,558
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $63,997
  • Year 3: $62,935
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,188
  • Year 2: $43,798
  • Year 3: $53,812
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $44,355
  • Year 2: $30,771
  • Year 3: $44,672
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
  • Year 1: $33,666
  • Year 2: $44,942
  • Year 3: $43,923
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $32,119
  • Year 3: $34,458
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $26,635
  • Year 2: $31,314
  • Year 3: $32,564
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $27,241
  • Year 2: $26,739
  • Year 3: $32,435

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