UM Western vs. Sul Ross State University

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Montana Western in Dillon, MT with Sul Ross State University in Alpine, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sul Ross State University is larger than UM Western based on total student enrollment (2,384 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); Sul Ross State University is in Alpine, TX (Remote Town setting).
• The University of Montana Western is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sul Ross State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Montana Western 16:1; Sul Ross State University 11:1.

UM Western vs. Sul Ross State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UM Western or Sul Ross State University? 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 Sul Ross State University than UM Western ($14,454 vs. $16,745).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Montana Western are 7.8% lower than at Sul Ross State University ($10,046 vs. $10,892).
• Sul Ross State University is 13.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM Western (about $922 more per year; $7,592.00 vs. $6,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at UM Western than at Sul Ross State University (about $2,458 more per year; $20,130.00 vs. $17,672.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Montana Western than at Sul Ross State University (81% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sul Ross State University students is 124.9% larger than aid received by The University of Montana Western students ($10,781 vs. $4,794).

UM Western vs. Sul Ross State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UM Western or Sul Ross State University? 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 Sul Ross State University and UM Western.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sul Ross State University (1020) is 10 points higher than at UM Western (1010).
• Incoming Sul Ross State University 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; Sul Ross State University 930/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Montana Western 16/21; Sul Ross State University 15/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UM Western - Open admission; Sul Ross State University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Sul Ross State University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at UM Western (3.2).
• UM Western has a higher acceptance rate (99.8%) than Sul Ross State University (98.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at UM Western vs. 18.3% at Sul Ross State University.

UM Western vs. Sul Ross State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UM Western and Sul Ross State University? 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 Sul Ross State University's (24%).
• Graduates from Sul Ross State University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than UM Western graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More UM Western graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sul Ross State University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 43%)

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.