Carroll College vs. UM Western

Comparable Facts

Compare Carroll College in Helena, MT with The University of Montana Western in Dillon, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Montana Western is larger than Carroll College based on total student enrollment (1,358 students vs. 1,156 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carroll College is located in Helena, MT (Remote Town setting); The University of Montana Western is in Dillon, MT (Remote Town setting).
• Carroll College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Montana Western is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carroll College 12:1; The University of Montana Western 16:1.

Carroll College vs. UM Western Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carroll College or UM Western? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Montana Western than Carroll College ($16,745 vs. $25,575).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Montana Western are 13% lower than at Carroll College ($10,046 vs. $11,548).
• Carroll College is 521.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM Western (about $34,814 more per year; $41,484.00 vs. $6,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 106.1% higher at Carroll College than at The University of Montana Western (about $21,354 more per year; $41,484.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carroll College than at The University of Montana Western (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carroll College students is 527% larger than aid received by The University of Montana Western students ($30,058 vs. $4,794).

Carroll College vs. UM Western Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carroll College or UM Western? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UM Western and Carroll College.

• The University of Montana Western reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carroll College (1180) is 170 points higher than at UM Western (1010).
• Incoming Carroll College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 18 at UM Western).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carroll College 1050/1300; The University of Montana Western 890/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carroll College 21/27; The University of Montana Western 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carroll College - Test optional; UM Western - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carroll College Feb 28, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carroll College students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at UM Western (3.2).
• UM Western has a higher acceptance rate (99.8%) than Carroll College (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Carroll College vs. 16.5% at UM Western.

Carroll College vs. UM Western Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carroll College and UM Western? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Carroll College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than The University of Montana Western's (31%).
• Graduates from Carroll College earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than UM Western graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Montana Western graduates have a $6,071 lower median loan debt than Carroll College graduates ($20,929 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UM Western graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carroll College graduates ($216 vs. $279).
• More Carroll College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UM Western students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.