The University of Montana vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Montana in Missoula, MT with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Carolina University is larger than The University of Montana based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 10,811 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Montana is located in Missoula, MT (Small City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• The University of Montana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Montana 17:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

The University of Montana vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The University of Montana or WCU? 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 Western Carolina University than The University of Montana ($13,767 vs. $17,370).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 3.5% lower than at The University of Montana ($12,354 vs. $12,804).
• The University of Montana is 84.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $3,922 more per year; $8,552.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 290.2% higher at The University of Montana than at Western Carolina University (about $25,041 more per year; $33,671.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Montana than at Western Carolina University (83% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Montana students is 63.5% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($9,799 vs. $5,993).

The University of Montana vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Montana (1180) is the same as at WCU (1180).
• Incoming The University of Montana students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at WCU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Montana 1070/1280; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Montana 18/26; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The University of Montana - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Montana Aug 18, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at The University of Montana (3.36).
• The University of Montana has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at The University of Montana vs. 12.7% at WCU.

The University of Montana vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Western Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than The University of Montana's (47%).
• Graduates from The University of Montana earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $1,173 lower median loan debt than The University of Montana graduates ($22,010 vs. $23,183).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The University of Montana graduates ($227 vs. $239).
• More The University of Montana graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.