Montana State University

Montana State University is a public land-grant research university located in Bozeman, Montana. Established in 1893, it serves as the flagship institution of the Montana State University system. The university offers a broad range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across fields such as engineering, agriculture, business, education, nursing, and the sciences. Classified among institutions with very high research activity, it plays a significant role in research related to agriculture, engineering, environmental sciences, and rural communities. Its location near the Rocky Mountains and Yellowstone National Park attracts students interested in outdoor recreation alongside academic study. Students drawn to Montana State University often seek a large public university experience in a smaller city setting with strong ties to Montana’s economy and communities.

Montana State University was founded on February 16, 1893, as the Agricultural College of the State of Montana after Montana achieved statehood. Located in Bozeman, it was established as the state’s land-grant institution under the Morrill Act of 1862, with an early focus on agriculture, engineering, and mechanical arts. Augustus M. Ryon served as the first president. In 1913, the institution was renamed the Montana College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, reflecting expanding academic programs in science and technology. It became Montana State College in 1920 as enrollment and facilities grew. In 1965, the institution adopted the name Montana State University, recognizing its broader academic mission and research role. Over the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, Montana State University expanded graduate education, research activity, and affiliated campuses, developing into a comprehensive public research university serving Montana and the surrounding region.