UM Western vs. EOU

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Montana Western in Dillon, MT with Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Oregon University is larger than UM Western based on total student enrollment (2,894 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); Eastern Oregon University is in La Grande, OR (Remote Town setting).
• The University of Montana Western is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Oregon University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Montana Western 16:1; Eastern Oregon University 14:1.

UM Western vs. EOU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UM Western or EOU? 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 EOU ($16,745 vs. $18,125).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Montana Western are 14.8% lower than at Eastern Oregon University ($10,046 vs. $11,787).
• Eastern Oregon University is 66.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM Western (about $4,406 more per year; $11,076.00 vs. $6,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.3% higher at EOU than at The University of Montana Western (about $5,301 more per year; $25,431.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Oregon University than at The University of Montana Western (94% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Oregon University students is 75.3% larger than aid received by The University of Montana Western students ($8,404 vs. $4,794).

UM Western vs. EOU Admissions comparison

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

• The University of Montana Western reports an open admissions policy.
• 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; EOU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: EOU Sep 10, 2026.
• Accepted freshman EOU students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at UM Western (3.2).
• UM Western has a higher acceptance rate (99.8%) than EOU (98.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at UM Western vs. 20.1% at EOU.

UM Western vs. EOU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Eastern Oregon University's six-year graduation rate (32%) is higher than The University of Montana Western's (31%).
• Graduates from Eastern Oregon University earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than UM Western graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Montana Western graduates have a $1,910 lower median loan debt than EOU graduates ($20,929 vs. $22,839).
• Among borrowers, UM Western graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EOU graduates ($216 vs. $236).
• More UM Western graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EOU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 49%)

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.