MSU Billings vs. UM Western

Comparable Facts

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

Montana State University Billings is larger than UM Western based on total student enrollment (4,129 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montana State University Billings is located in Billings, MT (Midsize City setting); The University of Montana Western is in Dillon, MT (Remote Town setting).
• Montana State University Billings 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: Montana State University Billings 14:1; The University of Montana Western 16:1.

MSU Billings vs. UM Western Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Billings 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 Montana State University Billings than UM Western ($15,018 vs. $16,745).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University Billings are 0.7% lower than at The University of Montana Western ($9,980 vs. $10,046).
• Montana State University Billings is 9.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM Western (about $610 more per year; $7,280.00 vs. $6,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.7% higher at MSU Billings than at The University of Montana Western (about $2,767 more per year; $22,897.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University Billings than at The University of Montana Western (90% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University Billings students is 52.5% larger than aid received by The University of Montana Western students ($7,313 vs. $4,794).

MSU Billings vs. UM Western Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU Billings 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 MSU Billings.

• The University of Montana Western reports an open admissions policy.
• 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: MSU Billings - Not reported; UM Western - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman UM Western students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at MSU Billings (3.05).

MSU Billings vs. UM Western Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU Billings 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).

• Montana State University Billings's six-year graduation rate (33%) is higher than The University of Montana Western's (31%).
• Graduates from Montana State University Billings earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than UM Western graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,800 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montana State University Billings graduates have a $3,429 lower median loan debt than UM Western graduates ($17,500 vs. $20,929).
• Among borrowers, MSU Billings graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM Western graduates ($180 vs. $216).
• More UM Western graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Billings students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 58%)

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.