RMC vs. UM Western

Comparable Facts

Compare Rocky Mountain College 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.

The University of Montana Western is larger than RMC based on total student enrollment (1,358 students vs. 1,032 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

RMC vs. UM Western Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RMC 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 RMC ($16,745 vs. $20,791).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Montana Western are 1% lower than at Rocky Mountain College ($10,046 vs. $10,152).
• Rocky Mountain College is 433.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM Western (about $28,912 more per year; $35,582.00 vs. $6,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.8% higher at RMC than at The University of Montana Western (about $15,452 more per year; $35,582.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rocky Mountain College than at The University of Montana Western (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rocky Mountain College students is 432.1% larger than aid received by The University of Montana Western students ($25,508 vs. $4,794).

RMC vs. UM Western Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RMC 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 RMC.

• The University of Montana Western reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rocky Mountain College (1010) is the same as at UM Western (1010).
• Incoming RMC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at UM Western).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rocky Mountain College 893/1133; The University of Montana Western 890/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rocky Mountain College 18/24; The University of Montana Western 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RMC - Test optional; UM Western - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman RMC students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at UM Western (3.2).
• UM Western has a higher acceptance rate (99.8%) than RMC (69.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.6% at RMC vs. 16.5% at UM Western.

RMC vs. UM Western Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RMC 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).

• Rocky Mountain College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than The University of Montana Western's (31%).
• Graduates from Rocky Mountain College earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than UM Western graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Montana Western graduates have a $5,071 lower median loan debt than RMC graduates ($20,929 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UM Western graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RMC graduates ($216 vs. $268).
• More RMC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UM Western students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.