UM Western vs. EWU

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Montana Western in Dillon, MT with Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Washington University is larger than UM Western based on total student enrollment (10,492 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 Washington University is in Cheney, WA (Town Fringe setting).
• The University of Montana Western is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Montana Western 16:1; Eastern Washington University 18:1.

UM Western vs. EWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UM Western or EWU? 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 Eastern Washington University than UM Western ($14,767 vs. $16,745).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Montana Western are 35.5% lower than at Eastern Washington University ($10,046 vs. $15,574).
• Eastern Washington University is 28.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM Western (about $1,916 more per year; $8,586.00 vs. $6,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29% higher at EWU than at The University of Montana Western (about $5,829 more per year; $25,959.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Washington University than at The University of Montana Western (86% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Washington University students is 108.6% larger than aid received by The University of Montana Western students ($10,001 vs. $4,794).

UM Western vs. EWU Admissions comparison

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

• The University of Montana Western reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Montana Western (1010) is 20 points higher than at EWU (990).
• Incoming EWU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at UM Western).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Montana Western 890/1120; Eastern Washington University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Montana Western 16/21; Eastern Washington University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UM Western - Open admission; EWU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: EWU Sep 10, 2026.
• Accepted freshman EWU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at UM Western (3.2).
• UM Western has a higher acceptance rate (99.8%) than EWU (90.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at UM Western vs. 22.7% at EWU.

UM Western vs. EWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UM Western and EWU? 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 Washington University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than The University of Montana Western's (31%).
• Graduates from Eastern Washington University earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than UM Western graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Washington University graduates have a $111 lower median loan debt than UM Western graduates ($20,818 vs. $20,929).
• Among borrowers, EWU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM Western graduates ($215 vs. $216).
• More UM Western graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EWU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 60%)

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.