Montana State University, Bozeman

What Montana State University, Bozeman does

Montana State University, founded in 1893 in Bozeman, is Montana's first land-grant institution and the largest research enterprise in the state, operating as part of the Montana University System under the governance of the Board of Regents. It serves 17,165 students (15,142 undergraduate and 2,023 graduate) across four campuses — Bozeman (flagship), Billings (founded 1927), Northern in Havre (1929), and Great Falls College (1969) — plus a statewide MSU Extension network. MSU offers over 250 undergraduate programs, 115 graduate programs, and 22 job-focused two-year programs through Gallatin College MSU, with delivery channels spanning on-campus instruction, Montana State Online, and 250+ study abroad programs across 60 countries. Carnegie-classified in the top tier for Very High Research Activity with a STEM-dominant doctoral portfolio, it is the #1 Forbes-ranked public university in Montana and ranks in the top 5% of universities globally per the Center for World University Rankings.

The university's core technology base spans photonics and quantum communications (including a NASA EPSCoR-funded programmable photonic integrated circuit program), advanced materials (a DOE-funded three-lobed carbon fiber geometry developed with Oak Ridge and Sandia National Laboratories reducing production costs by up to 50%), bioscience (a Nature Chemical Biology publication on a backup cysteine synthesis pathway led by Dr. Ed Schmidt), bioengineering (self-repairing living-cell building materials), precision agriculture (drone-enabled remote sensing and data analytics), and cybersecurity (NSA-designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense through 2030). It sustains $288.7 million in annual research expenditures supported by a portfolio that includes NASA, USDA, DOE, NIH, NSF, and Department of Defense grants.

Revenue is generated through five principal streams: recurring tuition and fees (with approximately 70% of students receiving financial assistance), state appropriations tied to its land-grant mission, federal and private research grants and contracts, federal programmatic awards (USDA SARE $9M portion, NASA EPSCoR $750K), and auxiliary/extension revenue from MSU Extension, online programs, and workforce training. Customer segments span undergraduate and graduate students, military veterans (750+ served), international students from 77 countries, and Montana residents served through extension and community programs, with the U.S. Biathlon Association and rural health clinics representing notable external service customers.

Name

Montana State University, Bozeman

Legal name

Montana State University

Website

https://montana.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1893

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Montana State University, Bozeman is Montana's flagship land-grant research university serving 17,165 students across four campuses and MSU Online, with $288.7M in annual research expenditures spanning photonics, bioscience, precision agriculture, cybersecurity, and advanced materials. It is Carnegie-classified for Very High Research Activity and Forbes #1 public university in Montana.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Junior Colleges (61121), Educational Services (611), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

akta.pro primary industry

Land-Grant Public Research Universities (EDAHAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA), University-Led Summer/Winter Schools (Credit/Non-Credit) (EDAIAIAA), Pre-Sessional/Bridge Short Programs (Academic Prep Before Term) (EDAIAIAK)

Keywords

• Public higher education
• Research university
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate degree programs
• Land-grant university

Headquarters

HQ city

Bozeman

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate, graduate, and international student tuition and fees. Approximately 70% of students receive financial assistance.
2. Research Grants and Contracts: Federal, state, and private research funding including NASA, DOE, USDA, NIH, Department of Defense, and NSF grants. MSU leverages over $220 million annually for research.
3. State Appropriations: State government funding as Montana's land-grant university supporting educational mission and operations.
4. USDA SARE Program: USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded $45 million to five land-grant universities including Montana State for sustainable agriculture research and education.
5. Cybersecurity Education Programs: NSA designation as National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense enables programs preparing students for national security roles.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Montana State University, Bozeman is a public land-grant research university that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, conducts sponsored research, and provides extension services to the state. It offers 250+ undergraduate and 115+ graduate programs to roughly 17,165 students on the Bozeman campus, through additional Montana locations, and via online delivery.

Product overview

Montana State University is a top-tier research university offering a comprehensive educational platform with over 250 undergraduate programs and 115 graduate programs. The university operates as a unified academic institution with specialized sub-brands including Gallatin College MSU (22 job-focused two-year programs), MSU Online (distance learning), and the Honors College. Research capabilities form a core component, with the institution leveraging $288.7 million in annual research expenditures supporting over 300 labs. Student support programs including McNair Scholars, Undergraduate Scholars Program (USP), and Hilleman Scholars provide additional academic pathways, while MSU Extension extends educational outreach statewide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bobcat Athletics: MSU's NCAA Division I athletic program competing in the Big Sky Conference
• Bobcats
• Museum of the Rockies
• Gallatin College MSU
• University of the Yellowstone

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs Bachelor's-level degree programs across multiple colleges offered to prospective and current students on the Bozeman campus and through additional locations. MSU offers 250+ undergraduate programs.
• Graduate Degree Programs Master's and doctoral degree programs offered to prospective and current students. MSU offers 115+ graduate programs across multiple disciplines.
• Online Degree Programs Distance-learning degree programs delivered online, extending access to MSU's curriculum to students beyond the Bozeman campus.
• Sponsored Research and Grants Funded research programs conducted by MSU faculty and partners, generating $288.7 million in annual research expenditures from federal, state, and industry sponsors.
• Cooperative Extension Services Outreach and applied research services delivered across Montana through the land-grant extension network, serving agricultural producers, communities, businesses, and residents statewide.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 1 billion people alive today due to Dr. Maurice Hilleman's vaccine research (MSU alumnus)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Arkansas at Little RockcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2026Partnership developing cyber-resilient computing platform with $5 million federal funding for national defense research applications.
• Oak Ridge National LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDOE-funded Carbon Fiber Design project partnership developing three-lobed carbon fiber geometry that reduces production costs by up to 50% and increases manufacturing throughput by two to three times for wind turbine blade spar caps, automotive, aerospace, and infrastructure applications.
• Sandia National LaboratoriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDOE-funded Carbon Fiber Design project collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Montana State University on non-circular carbon fiber geometry for industrial applications.
• University of PennsylvaniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research with Montana State University developing photonic system using light to control light signals, combining 2D semiconductor with photonic crystal nanocavity for AI and quantum computing applications.
• U.S. Air Force Research LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASA EPSCoR grant research building on prior work conducted with U.S. Air Force Research Lab for quantum laser communications technologies.
• Resources for the FuturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-lead of Resilient Energy Economies (REE) initiative with Columbia University SIPA, University of Notre Dame, and Montana State University to support fossil fuel-dependent communities.
• Columbia University SIPAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-lead of Resilient Energy Economies (REE) initiative supporting communities during energy transition with $450,000 in research grants.
• University of Notre DamecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-lead of Resilient Energy Economies (REE) initiative alongside Resources for the Future, Columbia University SIPA, and Montana State University.
• U.S. Biathlon AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration agreement providing sports science services for professional athletes including tracking movements in simulated race environments.
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSPTO Community Engagement Office location established at Montana State University representing strategic expansion of federal IP infrastructure into Rocky Mountain West.
• U.S. Geological SurveycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEight-year collaborative study (2016-2024) detecting Naegleria fowleri brain-eating amoeba in recreational waters at western U.S. national parks.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• University of Wyoming: Public land-grant research university in neighboring Wyoming with comparable Carnegie Very High Research Activity classification, STEM focus, rural setting, and Mountain West athletics (Mountain West Conference vs. Big Sky). Similar enrollment scale and research expenditure tier.
• Boise State University: Regional public research university in Boise, Idaho with comparable Carnegie research classification, similar student enrollment scale, growing STEM and cybersecurity programs, and Mountain West geography. Overlapping applicant pool and employer base.
• University of Montana: Montana's other flagship public university, sharing in-state applicant pool, state appropriation funding, and Big Sky Conference athletics. Similar Carnegie research activity classification but distinct emphasis areas (environmental sciences, forestry).
• North Dakota State University: Public land-grant research university in Fargo, North Dakota with comparable Carnegie Very High Research Activity classification, similar enrollment scale (~12-15K students), strong agriculture/engineering programs, and Summit League athletics.
• South Dakota State University: Public land-grant research university in Brookings, South Dakota with similar Carnegie research activity classification, comparable STEM and agriculture programs, and similar rural Plains geography with extension mission.
• Utah State University: Larger public land-grant research university in Logan, Utah with higher research expenditure scale ($300M+) and broader STEM research portfolio. Comparable land-grant extension mission and Mountain West geography.
• University of Idaho: Public land-grant research university in Moscow, Idaho with comparable Carnegie research classification, similar rural Pacific Northwest setting, overlapping STEM and agriculture research areas, and Big Sky Conference athletics.

Broad incumbents

• Colorado State University: Larger public land-grant R1 research university in Fort Collins, Colorado with substantially higher research expenditures ($500M+), broader program portfolio, and stronger brand. Serves as aspirational peer and recruiting competitor for MSU faculty and graduate students.
• Oregon State University: Larger public land-grant R1 research university in Corvallis, Oregon with substantially higher research expenditure scale ($600M+), more extensive online program offerings, and stronger national brand. Competes with MSU for federal research funding and STEM faculty.
• Washington State University: Larger public land-grant R1 research university in Pullman, Washington with substantially higher research expenditure scale ($700M+) and broader program portfolio. Competes with MSU for Pacific Northwest STEM talent and USDA research funding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/montanastate
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/montana-state-university
• Facebookfacebook.com/montanastate
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/edu/montana-state-university-bozeman-18753
• Instagraminstagram.com/montanastateuniversity

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Montana State University, Bozeman