Montana State University Billings (MSU Billings) Summary
Today, MSU Billings offers certificate, associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees through five principal academic units: the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, College of Business, College of Education, College of Health Professions and Science and City College at Montana State University Billings. The university has about 115 academic programs and offers both traditional campus study and a large number of online programs for traditional students, transfer students and working adults.
Academic programs include biology, chemistry, psychology, criminal justice, communication, political science and mathematics as well as business administration, health administration, human services, education, nursing, athletic training and rehabilitation counseling. City College is expanding its associate degree and certificate programs to include careers in automotive technology, welding, radiologic technology, nursing, cybersecurity, diesel technology, construction, process plant technology, medical coding and emergency medical services. Graduate students can major in education, psychology, public relations, criminal justice, health administration, athletic training, counseling and special education.
MSU Billings is a big proponent of hands-on and experiential learning. Institutional data show that 89 percent of seniors participate in at least one such experience, including an internship, undergraduate research, service learning or study abroad. Each year, more than 100 undergraduate students from a wide range of academic disciplines present their research at conferences, local, state and national.
Part of the academic and career environment is where the university is located. Billings is Montana’s largest urban center and offers opportunities with hospitals and clinics, businesses, schools, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, financial institutions, energy and natural-resource companies and technical employers . These links support internships, field placements, clinical learning and employment.
MSU Billings also offers a residential campus setting, with Petro Hall, Rimrock Hall, dining services, a Student Union Building, recreational facilities, health services, academic support services, a university library, and NCAA Division II athletics. The main campus is about 110 acres and is located below the Rimrocks overlooking Billings.
City College provides career-focused associate and certificate education, blending the breadth of a regional, public university, with the diversity of Montana State University Billings. The institution’s relatively small student-to-faculty ratio, multiple delivery formats and location in Montana’s largest employment center, make it especially committed to accessibility, applied learning and workforce preparation.
Extra Info
Montana State University Billings Quick Facts
Particular | Details |
Institute Name | Montana State University Billings |
Short Name | MSU Billings / MSUB |
Country | United States |
State | Montana |
City | Billings |
Complete Address | 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59101, United States |
Institute Type | Public university |
University System | Montana University System / Montana State University system |
Established | 1927 |
Original Name | Eastern Montana State Normal School |
Current Name Adopted | 1995 |
Academic Calendar | Semester |
Teaching Language | English |
Main Campus Size | Approximately 110 acres |
Fall 2025 Total Enrollment | 4,145 |
Undergraduate Enrollment | 3,896 |
Graduate Enrollment | 249 |
Student-Faculty Ratio | Approximately 14:1 |
Academic Programs | Approximately 115 programs across five colleges |
Degrees Offered | Certificates, Associate, Bachelor's and Master's degrees |
Institutional Accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
Athletics | NCAA Division II |
Athletic Conference | Great Northwest Athletic Conference |
Team Name | Yellowjackets |
School Colors | Blue and Gold |
University Campus Address | 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59101 |
City College | City College at Montana State University Billings |
MSU Billings recorded 4,145 students at the Fall 2025 census, including 3,896 undergraduate and 249 graduate students. The figure includes students at both the University Campus and City College as well as dual-enrollment students.
MSU Billings organizes its academic offerings through five primary colleges:
- College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
- College of Business
- College of Education
- College of Health Professions and Science
- City College at Montana State University Billings
Education
- Elementary Education — BS.Ed.
- Art Education — BA
- English Education — BA
- Health and Physical Education — BS
- History Education — BA
- Mathematics Education — BS
- Music Teaching Licensure — BA
- Special Education/Elementary Education — BS.Ed. double-major pathway
- Special Education/Secondary Education — BS.Ed. double-major pathway
Combined and Accelerated Programs
MSUB also offers accelerated pathways including:
- Health Administration BS/Master's pathway
- Health and Human Performance/MS Athletic Training 3+2
- Psychology/MS Psychology 3+2
Montana State University Billings Course Duration
Degree Type | Typical Duration |
Certificate/CAS | Approximately 1 year or program-specific |
Associate Degree | Approximately 2 years |
Bachelor's Degree | Approximately 4 years |
3+2 Bachelor's/Master's | Approximately 5 years |
Master's Degree | Commonly 1–3 years depending on program and study load |
RN-to-BSN | Depends on prior nursing credits and enrollment |
Online Programs | Duration varies by credit load |
Actual completion time depends on transferred credits, program sequencing, internships, clinical experiences and whether the student studies full-time or part-time.
Montana State University Billings Study Mode
Programs may be offered through:
- On-campus study
- Online study
- Hybrid study
- Laboratory instruction
- Clinical education
- Field placements
- Internships
- Practicum experiences
- Undergraduate research
- Service learning
- Study abroad
Availability depends on the individual program.
Montana State University Billings Entrance Exams
General undergraduate admission is currently a test optional.
Students are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores for general admission under the current Montana public-university policy.
Scores can nevertheless be submitted for:
- English placement
- Mathematics placement
- Scholarship consideration where applicable
- Academic advising
Graduate standardized-test requirements vary by program rather than being imposed university-wide.
Montana State University Billings GPA Requirement
For general first-year University Campus admission:
- Minimum GPA for standard academic qualification: 2.5, or
- Student may rank in the upper half of the graduating high-school class.
Applicants outside these criteria can still be considered through individual review.
Montana State University Billings International Admission
International applicants can pursue associate, bachelor's and master's degrees.
International undergraduate applicants generally submit:
- International student application
- Application fee
- Copy of passport identification page
- Secondary-school transcripts
- College transcripts where applicable
- English-language proficiency evidence
- English translations of non-English documents
- Course-by-course credential evaluation for applicable international postsecondary studies
- Financial certification after admission for issuance of the Form I-20
International undergraduate admission currently lists:
- Fall deadline: July 15
- Spring deadline: November 25
- Summer deadline: March 15
Applicants are encouraged to begin well before these dates because of immigration and document-processing requirements.
English Proficiency for International Undergraduate Students
Examples of currently accepted minimum scores include:
Examination | Minimum |
IELTS | 6.0 |
Duolingo English Test | 100 |
PTE Academic | 48 |
Paper TOEFL | 515 |
iTEP | 3.5 |
SAT Evidence-Based Reading/Writing | 440 |
ACT English | 20 |
MSUB also accepts several other approved English credentials and offers conditional admission through its Intensive English Language Program in qualifying circumstances.
International Graduate English Requirements
Current examples include:
Examination | Minimum |
TOEFL iBT | 79 |
IELTS | 6.5 |
PTE Academic | 58 |
Duolingo | 100 |
International graduate application deadlines are generally:
- Fall: June 1
- Spring: October 1
- Summer: February 1
Individual graduate programs can impose earlier or additional requirements.
Western Undergraduate Exchange
MSU Billings participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange, or WUE.
Qualifying residents of participating western states and territories can pay a tuition level below the university's standard non-resident rate.
Participating locations currently include states such as:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
For 2026–27, the full-time University Campus tuition-and-fee estimate is approximately $10,980 for WUE students compared with $23,670 for standard non-residents.
Montana State University Billings Rankings
College rankings depend heavily on the publisher and methodology and should therefore be displayed with the ranking organization and year.
College Factual 2026
College Factual's 2026 subject rankings place MSU Billings first in Montana in several specific areas, including:
- Office Administration Associate Degree
- Business Administration & Management Associate Degree
- General Special Education
- Counselor Education/School Counseling
- Radiologic Technology
- Welding Technology
- Criminal Justice Studies
- Selected technical and career programs
These are program-specific rankings, not a claim that MSUB is the overall number-one university in Montana.
EduRank 2026
EduRank's March 2026 research-based ranking lists MSU Billings:
- #1,028 in the United States
- #4 in Montana
- #1 among institutions it evaluates in Billings
EduRank uses factors including research output, non-academic reputation and alumni impact, so its ranking should be interpreted according to that methodology.
Montana State University Billings Research
Although MSU Billings is primarily teaching and workforce oriented rather than a large research university, undergraduate research is an established part of the institution's academic model.
Students can participate in:
- Faculty-guided research
- Undergraduate research fellowships
- Laboratory research
- Medical laboratory science research
- Independent study
- Conference presentations
- Community-based projects
- Applied business projects
- Research connected with senior projects
- Service-learning research
Institutional materials report that more than 100 undergraduate students from various disciplines present research annually at local, state and national conferences.
Montana State University Billings Campus
The University Campus covers approximately 110 park-like acres near the base of the Rimrocks overlooking Billings.
Major campus buildings and facilities include:
- McMullen Hall
- Liberal Arts Building
- College of Education Building
- Science Building
- University Library
- Student Union Building
- Physical Education Building
- Petro Hall
- Rimrock Hall
- Academic-support spaces
- Athletic and recreation facilities
- Health-services facilities
- Dining facilities
- Campus Store
- Student organization spaces
- Art and performance facilities
- Computer laboratories
MSU Billings also operates City College at a separate Billings location.
Montana State University Billings Housing
On-campus residence halls include:
- Petro Hall
- Rimrock Hall
Residence-hall amenities include:
- Computer labs
- Printing
- Study lounges
- Community kitchens
- Internet access
- Bike storage
- Laundry access
- Front-desk services
- Fitness facilities
- Residence-life programming
- Security and student-support services
A fitness center available to residence-hall students is located in Petro Hall.
Freshmen are generally expected to live on campus unless they qualify for an approved exemption. The university's financial-aid cost calculations explicitly incorporate this housing policy for first-year students.
Montana State University Billings Dining
Campus dining facilities include the Rimrock Café, located in the Student Union Building.
Students can select from multiple residence-hall meal plans offering combinations of:
- Unlimited or structured dining access
- Weekly meals
- Semester meal swipes
- Dining dollars
- Flex funds
Stingers Coffee Shop and other food services also operate within the Student Union environment.
Library
The MSU Billings Library provides academic and research services for students, faculty and staff.
Resources include:
- Print collections
- Electronic databases
- Journals
- Research assistance
- Computer access
- Study areas
- Group study
- Interlibrary services
- Academic technology
- Research support
The Library building also houses or connects students with university academic and career-support resources.
Student Facilities
Students have access to:
- University Library
- Computer laboratories
- Science laboratories
- Health-sciences learning spaces
- Student Union Building
- Campus Store
- Career and Employment Services
- Academic Support Center
- Student Health Services
- Counseling and wellness services
- Fitness facilities
- Swimming pool
- Gymnasium
- Intramural recreation
- Dining services
- Residence halls
- Family housing
- Student organization spaces
- University Police
- Disability Support Services
- Academic advising
- International student services
Athletics
MSU Billings competes as the Yellowjackets in NCAA Division II.
The university is a member of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.
Current varsity sports include:
Men's Sports
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Track and Field
Women's Sports
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
Co-ed competition also includes cheer/stunt activities.
Student Life
Student life includes:
- Student organizations
- Student government
- Cultural events
- Campus activities
- Leadership programs
- Service projects
- Volunteer opportunities
- Intramural sports
- Recreation
- NCAA athletics
- Student Union programming
- International events
- Campus dining
- Residence-life programming
- Health and wellness services
The Center for Engagement helps students connect with organizations, activities and campus communities.
Study Abroad
MSUB supports international study through exchange partnerships, direct-enrollment programs and faculty-led experiences.
Students can access study opportunities in destinations including Europe and Asia, depending on the academic year.
Existing institutional scholarships can sometimes be applied to approved credit-bearing study-abroad programs, while dedicated international-education awards can provide additional assistance.
Online Programs
Online education is a significant part of MSUB's academic model.
Online opportunities include programs in areas such as:
- Business
- Health administration
- RN-to-BSN
- Education
- Counseling
- Graduate education
- Selected liberal arts and professional fields
Availability can vary by degree and academic year.
Students enrolled exclusively online can have a different university fee structure from students physically attending the Billings campuses.
International Students
MSU Billings accepts F-1 international students at undergraduate and graduate levels.
International-student services include:
- Admission assistance
- Immigration documentation
- I-20 preparation
- Orientation
- Academic support
- English-language preparation
- Scholarship opportunities
- Study-abroad and intercultural programs
- International events
- Intensive English Language Program
Students who do not yet satisfy full English-language requirements may qualify for conditional admission through English-language study.
Location
Montana State University Billings
1500 University Drive
Billings, Montana 59101
United States
Billings is the largest city in Montana and serves as a regional center for:
- Health care
- Banking and finance
- Retail
- Energy
- Transportation
- Government
- Education
- Agriculture-related business
- Professional services
- Technology
- Nonprofit organizations
This urban setting provides MSUB students with internship, employment, clinical and professional-development opportunities.
Montana State University Billings FAQs
1. Where is Montana State University Billings located?
Montana State University Billings is located at 1500 University Drive in Billings, Montana, United States.
2. Is Montana State University Billings public or private?
MSU Billings is a public university.
3. When was MSU Billings founded?
The university was established in 1927 as Eastern Montana State Normal School.
4. How many students attend Montana State University Billings?
MSU Billings reported a Fall 2025 census headcount of 4,145 students, including 3,896 undergraduates and 249 graduate students.
5. What is the student-faculty ratio at MSU Billings?
The university currently describes its student-faculty ratio as approximately 14:1.
6. How many academic programs does MSU Billings offer?
Current university information describes approximately 115 academic programs across five colleges.
7. What GPA is required for MSU Billings?
Standard freshman academic requirements include a 2.5 high-school GPA or graduation in the upper half of the high-school class. Students outside these requirements may still receive individual admission review.
8. Does MSU Billings require SAT or ACT scores?
No. General undergraduate admission is currently a test optional. Applicants may still submit scores for placement and other purposes.
9. How much is MSU Billings tuition for Montana residents?
For 2026–27, the full-time University Campus undergraduate tuition-and-fee estimate for a Montana resident is approximately $8,040 per academic year.
10. How much does MSU Billings cost for out-of-state students?
For 2026–27, the full-time undergraduate non-resident University Campus tuition-and-fee estimate is approximately $23,670. The estimated total cost of attendance for an on-campus non-resident is approximately $42,958.
11. How much is WUE tuition at MSU Billings?
For 2026–27, the full-time annual University Campus tuition-and-fee estimate for a WUE student is approximately $10,980.
12. How much does City College cost?
For a full-time Montana resident in 2026–27, City College's estimated tuition and fees are approximately $5,340 annually.
13. How much is graduate tuition at MSU Billings?
For 2026–27, the estimated annual tuition and fees for a Montana-resident graduate student enrolled full-time are approximately $8,440. The non-resident estimate is approximately $21,820.
14. Does MSU Billings offer scholarships?
Yes. MSU Billings states that it awards more than $1.8 million annually through more than 500 scholarships, with individual awards ranging from smaller book scholarships to full tuition.
15. What are the Yellowjacket Excellence Scholarship amounts?
For Fall 2026 University Campus entrants, current awards are $3,000, $2,000 or $1,000 annually, depending on high-school GPA.
16. Does Montana State University Billings have dormitories?
Yes. Main residence halls include Petro Hall and Rimrock Hall.
17. How much does housing cost at MSU Billings?
For 2026–27, a double room costs approximately $5,384 for the academic year, while a single costs approximately $6,570, before applicable residence fees.
18. How much is the MSU Billings meal plan?
For 2026–27, annual meal-plan costs range from approximately $4,376 to $4,822, depending on the selected plan.
19. Does MSU Billings offer graduate degrees?
Yes. Master's programs include Athletic Training, Health Administration, Psychology, Public Relations, Criminal Justice, education, Special Education and Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling.
20. Does MSU Billings have nursing?
Yes. MSU Billings and City College provide nursing pathways including practical nursing, associate-level registered nursing and RN-to-BSN degree completion.
21. Does MSU Billings have business programs?
Yes. The College of Business offers Accounting, Finance, General Business, Management and Marketing options and holds AACSB accreditation.
22. Is Montana State University Billings accredited?
Yes. MSU Billings is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
23. What athletic division is MSU Billings?
The Yellowjackets compete in NCAA Division II, primarily in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.
24. Does MSU Billings accept international students?
Yes. International students can pursue associate, bachelor's and master's degrees and may qualify for international scholarships and campus employment opportunities.
25. What IELTS score does MSU Billings require?
For undergraduate international admission, the current minimum IELTS score is 6.0. Graduate international admission generally requires 6.5.
26. Does MSU Billings offer online degrees?
Yes. MSU Billings offers multiple online undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs.
27. What is City College at MSU Billings?
City College is the university's career and technical education college. It offers associate degrees and certificates in fields including health care, automotive technology, cybersecurity, construction, welding, diesel technology and business.
28. Does MSU Billings offer financial aid?
Yes. Eligible students can receive federal, state and institutional financial aid. The MSU Billings FAFSA code is 002530.
29. What are MSU Billings' sports teams called?
The university's teams are called the Yellowjackets.
30. Is Montana State University Billings in a city?
Yes. It is located in Billings, Montana's largest city and a major regional employment and health-care center.
