UAPB vs. UM Western

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in Pine Bluff, AR with The University of Montana Western in Dillon, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is larger than UM Western based on total student enrollment (2,005 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is located in Pine Bluff, AR (Small City setting); The University of Montana Western is in Dillon, MT (Remote Town setting).
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Montana Western is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 12:1; The University of Montana Western 16:1.

UAPB vs. UM Western Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAPB or UM Western? 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 Arkansas at Pine Bluff than UM Western ($12,373 vs. $16,745).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff are 8.5% lower than at The University of Montana Western ($9,194 vs. $10,046).
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is 41.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM Western (about $2,742 more per year; $9,412.00 vs. $6,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.9% higher at UM Western than at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (about $2,138 more per year; $20,130.00 vs. $17,992.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff than at The University of Montana Western (96% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff students is 127% larger than aid received by The University of Montana Western students ($10,883 vs. $4,794).

UAPB vs. UM Western Admissions comparison

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

• The University of Montana Western reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Montana Western (1010) is 30 points higher than at UAPB (980).
• Incoming UM Western students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 16 at UAPB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 845/1108; The University of Montana Western 890/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 14/18; The University of Montana Western 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAPB - Required; UM Western - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman UM Western students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at UAPB (2.9).
• UM Western has a higher acceptance rate (99.8%) than UAPB (41.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at UAPB vs. 16.5% at UM Western.

UAPB vs. UM Western Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAPB and UM Western? 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 University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff's (23%).
• Graduates from The University of Montana Western earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than UAPB graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,100 vs. $30,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Montana Western graduates have a $5,819 lower median loan debt than UAPB graduates ($20,929 vs. $26,748).
• Among borrowers, UM Western graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UAPB graduates ($216 vs. $276).
• More UM Western graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAPB students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 30%)

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.