UM Western vs. UVa-Wise

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Montana Western in Dillon, MT with University of Virginia's College at Wise in Wise, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Virginia's College at Wise is larger than UM Western based on total student enrollment (2,167 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); University of Virginia's College at Wise is in Wise, VA (Distant Town setting).
• The University of Montana Western is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia's College at Wise is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Montana Western 16:1; University of Virginia's College at Wise 14:1.

UM Western vs. UVa-Wise Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UM Western or UVa-Wise? 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 University of Virginia's College at Wise than UM Western ($14,378 vs. $16,745).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Montana Western are 21.6% lower than at University of Virginia's College at Wise ($10,046 vs. $12,816).
• University of Virginia's College at Wise is 76.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM Western (about $5,110 more per year; $11,780.00 vs. $6,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.1% higher at UVa-Wise than at The University of Montana Western (about $7,880 more per year; $28,010.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Virginia's College at Wise than at The University of Montana Western (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia's College at Wise students is 155.8% larger than aid received by The University of Montana Western students ($12,262 vs. $4,794).

UM Western vs. UVa-Wise Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UM Western or UVa-Wise? 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 UVa-Wise and UM Western.

• The University of Montana Western reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia's College at Wise (1030) is 20 points higher than at UM Western (1010).
• Incoming UVa-Wise students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at UM Western).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Montana Western 890/1120; University of Virginia's College at Wise 945/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Montana Western 16/21; University of Virginia's College at Wise 18/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UM Western - Open admission; UVa-Wise - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UVa-Wise Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UVa-Wise students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at UM Western (3.2).
• UM Western has a higher acceptance rate (99.8%) than UVa-Wise (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at UM Western vs. 15.1% at UVa-Wise.

UM Western vs. UVa-Wise Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UM Western and UVa-Wise? 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).

• University of Virginia's College at Wise's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than The University of Montana Western's (31%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia's College at Wise earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than UM Western graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia's College at Wise graduates have a $102 lower median loan debt than UM Western graduates ($20,827 vs. $20,929).
• Among borrowers, UVa-Wise 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 UVa-Wise students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 57%)

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.