SKC vs. UM Western

Comparable Facts

Compare Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, 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 SKC based on total student enrollment (1,358 students vs. 671 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salish Kootenai College is located in Pablo, MT (Distant Rural setting); The University of Montana Western is in Dillon, MT (Remote Town setting).
• Salish Kootenai 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: Salish Kootenai College 6:1; The University of Montana Western 16:1.

SKC vs. UM Western Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SKC 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 Salish Kootenai College than UM Western ($6,771 vs. $16,745).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salish Kootenai College are 30.1% lower than at The University of Montana Western ($7,020 vs. $10,046).
• The University of Montana Western is 4.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SKC (about $271 more per year; $6,670.00 vs. $6,399.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.8% higher at UM Western than at Salish Kootenai College (about $8,547 more per year; $20,130.00 vs. $11,583.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Montana Western than at Salish Kootenai College (81% vs. 68%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salish Kootenai College students is 38.1% larger than aid received by The University of Montana Western students ($6,621 vs. $4,794).

SKC vs. UM Western Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SKC 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 SKC.

• 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: SKC - Open admission; UM Western - Open admission.

SKC vs. UM Western Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SKC 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).

• Salish Kootenai College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than The University of Montana Western's (31%).
• Graduates from The University of Montana Western earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than SKC graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,100 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salish Kootenai College graduates have a $8,457 lower median loan debt than UM Western graduates ($12,472 vs. $20,929).
• Among borrowers, SKC graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM Western graduates ($128 vs. $216).
• More UM Western graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SKC students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 36%)

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.