UM Western vs. Great Basin College

Comparable Facts

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

Great Basin College is larger than UM Western based on total student enrollment (3,320 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); Great Basin College is in Elko, NV (Remote Town setting).
• The University of Montana Western is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Great Basin College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Montana Western 16:1; Great Basin College 18:1.

UM Western vs. Great Basin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UM Western or Great Basin College? 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 Great Basin College than UM Western ($8,193 vs. $16,745).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Great Basin College are 40.3% lower than at The University of Montana Western ($6,000 vs. $10,046).
• The University of Montana Western is 70% more expensive for in-state tuition than Great Basin College (about $2,747 more per year; $6,670.00 vs. $3,923.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45% higher at UM Western than at Great Basin College (about $6,247 more per year; $20,130.00 vs. $13,883.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Montana Western than at Great Basin College (81% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Great Basin College students is 27.8% larger than aid received by The University of Montana Western students ($6,129 vs. $4,794).

UM Western vs. Great Basin College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UM Western or Great Basin College? 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 Great Basin College 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; Great Basin College - Open admission.

UM Western vs. Great Basin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UM Western and Great Basin College? 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).

• The University of Montana Western's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than Great Basin College's (8%).
• Graduates from Great Basin College earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than UM Western graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,800 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Great Basin College graduates have a $11,429 lower median loan debt than UM Western graduates ($9,500 vs. $20,929).
• Among borrowers, Great Basin College graduates have an estimated $118 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM Western graduates ($98 vs. $216).
• More UM Western graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Great Basin College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 39%)

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.