The University of Montana vs. Washington State

Deciding between The University of Montana and Washington State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

The University of Montana
Washington State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • The University of Montana Missoula, MT
  • Washington State Pullman, WA
  • Setting
  • The University of Montana Small City
  • Washington State Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • The University of Montana 10,811
  • Washington State 25,685
  • Type
  • The University of Montana Public 4 Year
  • Washington State Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • The University of Montana #754
  • Washington State #404
  • Religious Affiliation
  • The University of Montana -
  • Washington State -
  • Status
  • The University of Montana Non-profit
  • Washington State Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • The University of Montana
  • Washington State

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • The University of Montana $8,552
  • Washington State $13,391
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • The University of Montana $33,671
  • Washington State $29,950
  • Room & Board
  • The University of Montana $12,804
  • Washington State $13,622
  • Average Net Price
  • The University of Montana $17,370
  • Washington State $18,171
  • Average Grant Aid
  • The University of Montana $9,799
  • Washington State $10,886
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • The University of Montana 83%
  • Washington State 83%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • The University of Montana 9,576
  • Washington State 25,462
  • Admitted
  • The University of Montana 9,180
  • Washington State 22,060
  • Acceptance Rate
  • The University of Montana 95.9%
  • Washington State 86.6%
  • Enrolled
  • The University of Montana 19.3%
  • Washington State 19.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • The University of Montana 1180
  • Washington State 1120
  • Typical ACT score
  • The University of Montana 22
  • Washington State 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • The University of Montana 3.36
  • Washington State 3.5
  • Typical High School Grades
  • The University of Montana B+
  • Washington State A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • The University of Montana Average
  • Washington State Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • The University of Montana
  • Washington State
  • ACT Range
  • The University of Montana 18/26
  • Washington State 20/26
  • SAT Range
  • The University of Montana 1070/1280
  • Washington State 1020/1210
  • Submit Test Scores
  • The University of Montana Test optional
  • Washington State Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • The University of Montana Aug 18, 2027
  • Washington State Jan 31, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • The University of Montana 17:1
  • Washington State 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • The University of Montana
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
  • Washington State
    • Business (18%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Communication (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • The University of Montana 47%
  • Washington State 67%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • The University of Montana $41,000
  • Washington State $54,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • The University of Montana 59%
  • Washington State 71%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • The University of Montana $23,183
  • Washington State $20,429
  • Median Loan Payment
  • The University of Montana $239
  • Washington State $211

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • The University of Montana 39%
  • Washington State 46%
  • % Women
  • The University of Montana 61%
  • Washington State 54%
  • Racial Diversity
  • The University of Montana Very Low
  • Washington State Medium
  • HBCU
  • The University of Montana No
  • Washington State No
  • % White
  • The University of Montana 79%
  • Washington State 63%
  • % Asian
  • The University of Montana 1%
  • Washington State 5%
  • % Black
  • The University of Montana 1%
  • Washington State 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • The University of Montana 4%
  • Washington State 13%
  • % Native American
  • The University of Montana 3%
  • Washington State 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • The University of Montana 0%
  • Washington State 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • The University of Montana 4%
  • Washington State 8%
  • % International
  • The University of Montana 2%
  • Washington State 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • The University of Montana 5%
  • Washington State 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • The University of Montana 59%
  • Washington State 84%
  • % Out-of-State
  • The University of Montana 39%
  • Washington State 14%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • The University of Montana Yes
  • Washington State Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • The University of Montana No
  • Washington State No
  • Meal Plan
  • The University of Montana Yes
  • Washington State Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • The University of Montana No
  • Washington State No
  • Daycare Facility
  • The University of Montana Yes
  • Washington State Yes
  • Learn More
  • The University of Montana Details
  • Washington State Details

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Montana in Missoula, MT with Washington State University in Pullman, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington State University is larger than The University of Montana based on total student enrollment (25,685 students vs. 10,811 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • The University of Montana is located in Missoula, MT (Small City setting); Washington State University is in Pullman, WA (Distant Town setting).
  • The University of Montana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Montana 17:1; Washington State University 15:1.

The University of Montana vs. Washington State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The University of Montana or Washington State? 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 than Washington State ($17,370 vs. $18,171).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Montana are 6% lower than at Washington State University ($12,804 vs. $13,622).
  • Washington State University is 56.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Montana (about $4,839 more per year; $13,391.00 vs. $8,552.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.4% higher at The University of Montana than at Washington State University (about $3,721 more per year; $33,671.00 vs. $29,950.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at The University of Montana as at Washington State University (83% vs. 83%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Washington State University students is 11.1% larger than aid received by The University of Montana students ($10,886 vs. $9,799).

The University of Montana vs. Washington State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, The University of Montana or Washington State? 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 Washington State and The University of Montana.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Montana (1180) is 60 points higher than at Washington State (1120).
  • Incoming Washington State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at The University of Montana).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Montana 1070/1280; Washington State University 1020/1210.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Montana 18/26; Washington State University 20/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The University of Montana - Test optional; Washington State - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: The University of Montana Aug 18, 2027; Washington State Jan 31, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Washington State students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at The University of Montana (3.36).
  • The University of Montana has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Washington State (86.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at The University of Montana vs. 19.7% at Washington State.

The University of Montana vs. Washington State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The University of Montana and Washington State? 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).

  • Washington State University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than The University of Montana's (47%).
  • Graduates from Washington State University earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than The University of Montana graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,400 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington State University graduates have a $2,754 lower median loan debt than The University of Montana graduates ($20,429 vs. $23,183).
  • Among borrowers, Washington State graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The University of Montana graduates ($211 vs. $239).
  • More Washington State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Montana students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 59%)

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.