UM Western vs. WGU Western Governors

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Montana Western in Dillon, MT with Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Governors University is larger than UM Western based on total student enrollment (210,208 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); Western Governors University is in Salt Lake City, UT (Large Suburban setting).
• The University of Montana Western is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Governors University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Montana Western 16:1; Western Governors University 42:1.

UM Western vs. WGU Western Governors Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UM Western or WGU Western Governors? 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 Western Governors University than UM Western ($11,328 vs. $16,745).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Governors University are 19.4% lower than at The University of Montana Western ($8,100 vs. $10,046).
• Western Governors University is 29.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM Western (about $1,988 more per year; $8,658.00 vs. $6,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 132.5% higher at UM Western than at Western Governors University (about $11,472 more per year; $20,130.00 vs. $8,658.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Montana Western than at Western Governors University (81% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Governors University students is 13.8% larger than aid received by The University of Montana Western students ($5,455 vs. $4,794).

UM Western vs. WGU Western Governors Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UM Western or WGU Western Governors? 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 WGU Western Governors 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; WGU Western Governors - Open admission.

UM Western vs. WGU Western Governors Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UM Western and WGU Western Governors? 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).

• Graduates from Western Governors University earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than UM Western graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Governors University graduates have a $8,429 lower median loan debt than UM Western graduates ($12,500 vs. $20,929).
• Among borrowers, WGU Western Governors graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM Western graduates ($129 vs. $216).
• More UM Western graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WGU Western Governors students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 51%)

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.