ISU vs. UM Western

Comparable Facts

Compare Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID with The University of Montana Western in Dillon, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Idaho State University is larger than UM Western based on total student enrollment (13,061 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Idaho State University is located in Pocatello, ID (Small City setting); The University of Montana Western is in Dillon, MT (Remote Town setting).
• Idaho State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Montana Western is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Idaho State University 14:1; The University of Montana Western 16:1.

ISU vs. UM Western Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU 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 Idaho State University than UM Western ($12,174 vs. $16,745).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 21.5% lower than at The University of Montana Western ($7,882 vs. $10,046).
• Idaho State University is 29.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM Western (about $1,940 more per year; $8,610.00 vs. $6,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.7% higher at ISU than at The University of Montana Western (about $7,590 more per year; $27,720.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Idaho State University than at The University of Montana Western (91% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Idaho State University students is 92.3% larger than aid received by The University of Montana Western students ($9,217 vs. $4,794).

ISU vs. UM Western Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU 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 ISU.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsThe University of Montana Western 890/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsThe University of Montana Western 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Open admission; UM Western - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at UM Western (3.2).

ISU vs. UM Western Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU 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).

• The University of Montana Western's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than Idaho State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Idaho State University earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than UM Western graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Montana Western graduates have a $2,021 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($20,929 vs. $22,950).
• Among borrowers, UM Western graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($216 vs. $237).
• More UM Western graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 47%)

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.