UM Western vs. CBC

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Montana Western in Dillon, MT with Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia Basin College is larger than UM Western based on total student enrollment (7,510 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Montana Western is located in Dillon, MT (Remote Town setting); Columbia Basin College is in Pasco, WA (Small City setting).
• The University of Montana Western is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia Basin College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Montana Western 16:1; Columbia Basin College 20:1.

UM Western vs. CBC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UM Western or CBC? 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 Columbia Basin College than UM Western ($10,656 vs. $16,745).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Montana Western are 10.5% lower than at Columbia Basin College ($10,046 vs. $11,222).
• The University of Montana Western is 1.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CBC (about $115 more per year; $6,670.00 vs. $6,555.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 132.2% higher at UM Western than at Columbia Basin College (about $11,462 more per year; $20,130.00 vs. $8,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Montana Western than at Columbia Basin College (81% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia Basin College students is 53.7% larger than aid received by The University of Montana Western students ($7,367 vs. $4,794).

UM Western vs. CBC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UM Western or CBC? 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 CBC and UM Western.

• 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 students: The University of Montana Western 890/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Montana Western 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UM Western - Open admission; CBC - Open admission.

UM Western vs. CBC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UM Western and CBC? 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).

• Graduates from Columbia Basin College earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than UM Western graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,200 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia Basin College graduates have a $10,429 lower median loan debt than UM Western graduates ($10,500 vs. $20,929).
• Among borrowers, CBC graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM Western graduates ($108 vs. $216).
• More UM Western graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CBC students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 48%)

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.