MSU vs. UM Western

Comparable Facts

Compare Montana State University in Bozeman, 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 is larger than UM Western based on total student enrollment (17,135 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montana State University is located in Bozeman, MT (Remote Town setting); The University of Montana Western is in Dillon, MT (Remote Town setting).
• Montana 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: Montana State University 18:1; The University of Montana Western 16:1.

MSU vs. UM Western Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU 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 MSU ($16,745 vs. $20,142).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Montana Western are 28.2% lower than at Montana State University ($10,046 vs. $14,000).
• Montana State University is 26.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM Western (about $1,790 more per year; $8,460.00 vs. $6,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.4% higher at MSU than at The University of Montana Western (about $13,157 more per year; $33,287.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University than at The University of Montana Western (83% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University students is 145.4% larger than aid received by The University of Montana Western students ($11,763 vs. $4,794).

MSU vs. UM Western Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU 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.

• The University of Montana Western reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Montana State University (1180) is 170 points higher than at UM Western (1010).
• Incoming MSU 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: Montana State University 1065/1285; The University of Montana Western 890/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montana State University 21/27; The University of Montana Western 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU - Test optional; UM Western - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman MSU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at UM Western (3.2).
• UM Western has a higher acceptance rate (99.8%) than MSU (82.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at MSU vs. 16.5% at UM Western.

MSU vs. UM Western Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU 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's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than The University of Montana Western's (31%).
• Graduates from Montana State University earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than UM Western graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Montana Western graduates have a $3,071 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($20,929 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, UM Western graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($216 vs. $248).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UM Western students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.