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MSU researcher  & professor Amanda Hohner, studies how how wildfires can threaten drinking water quality.

MSU currently offers over 250 academic options to students, spanning eight major colleges. Ranging from Agriculture to Nursing, these programs are designed to prep students with fundamental knowledge, and allow them to test their strengths through hands-on learning opportunities.

As MSU continues to grow, our commitment to offering quality academic experiences remains a top priority. We have added several major and minor program options within the past few years, with more opportunities ahead.

Learn more about new opportunities in each of our academic colleges below!

Agriculture

  • 7 experimental stations state-wide offer hands-on experience in Bozeman and around Montana.
  • Coursework is community-focused and prepares students through internships, networking socials and conferences.
  • For the last four years The College of Agriculture has the largest share of the total with $54 million in expenditures, led by its departments of plant sciences, land resources and environmental science, and microbiology and immunology — which is also housed in the College of Letters and Science.
  • Awards more distinct scholarships than any other academic college at MSU.
  • The College of Agriculture offers 11 bachelors, nine masters, & four doctoral programs across six departments. 

Arts & Architecture

  • Programs are designed to prepare students with practical and critical skill sets.
  • Studio experiences begin in the first year of the program.
  • MSU’s BFA Graphic Design grads are offered jobs at the nation’s top advertising agencies, design firms and in-house design departments.
  • Each spring semester the School of Art offers a program of study in Italy allowing students to participate in an intensive studio and art history experience.
  • MSU has over 21 different musical ensembles including MSU’s Spirit of the West Marching Band.

 

Business

  • The Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship is one of only 6% of business schools globally to earn AACSB accreditation .
  • 100% of courses in the college are taught by faculty.
  • Focuses heavily on interdisciplinary educational opportunities, utilizing MSU's various academic colleges.
  • In the past five years College of Business graduates have found employment with companies such as Boeing, Google, and Amazon.
  • Starting in Fall 2025 the College of Business will now be offering a B.S in Hospitality Management. The newest degree option here at MSU. 

Education, Health & Human Development

  • Students gain exposure to coursework in their major immediately, including field experiences via teaching or research labs.
  • Awards over $275,000 in scholarships every year to students.
  • In April 2025, the Buffalo Nations Food System Initiative—a project at Montana State University that supports intertribal food sovereignty—received a $500,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation.
  • Education initiatives taught at MSU create leaders in the region, including teaching coursework on-site at Bozeman area schools.
  • Elementary Education students graduate with 800 hours of field experience.

Engineering

  • Boasting world-renowned faculty and alumni, the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering is one of MSU's most popular academic options.
  • Students are reporting 96% job placement upon graduation – among the highest of any field on campus.
  • MSU's pass rate on the Fundamentals of Engineering exam is over 90% - 15% higher than the national average.
  • Offers over 30 clubs and organizations affiliated with the college, such as Egnineeers without Boaders, & Association for Women in Computing.

Letters & Sciences

  • This college offers the largest number of programs on campus, with over 50 majors and 25 minors.
  • Receives over $28.6 million annually in research grants for faculty and student projects.
  • In early 2025 William Thomas III started as the new dean for the College of Letters Science. 
  • Houses multiple professional and honorary student organizations on campus providing ample opportunities for community outreach.
  • MSU's Sleep and Development Laboratory was awarded $3.3 Million to conduct a five year study on childrens sleep patterns.

 

Nursing

  • Students are well-prepared with a STEM-heavy curriculum and report nearly 100% job placement after graduation.
  • Program includes an extensive clinical component where students are placed at one of five hospital locations across the state.
  • As of 2024 the median annual wage for registered nurses is $93,600,making them some of the highest paid grads.  
  • Now offers a one-year Accelerated Nursing (ABSN) program for post-baccalaureate candidates.
  • In 2025 first-time NCLEX pass rates for Nursing student graduates is 91.6%. 

Honors College

  • The Honors College provides opportunities for students to study, conduct research, and exchange ideas in a challenging and supportive academic environment.
  • Students have access to the amenities of a larger research university and the benefits of a small, liberal arts college, including smaller class sizes and seminar-based learning experiences.
  • All academic programs on campus can be paired with an Honors College degree.
  • Living Learning Communities for Honors students are available in multiple residence halls across campus.