Western Colorado University vs. The University of Montana

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Colorado University in Gunnison, CO with The University of Montana in Missoula, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Montana is larger than Western Colorado University based on total student enrollment (10,811 students vs. 3,568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, CO (Remote Town setting); The University of Montana is in Missoula, MT (Small City setting).
• Western Colorado University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Montana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Colorado University 17:1; The University of Montana 17:1.

Western Colorado University vs. The University of Montana Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Colorado University or The University of Montana? 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 The University of Montana than Western Colorado University ($17,370 vs. $17,711).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Colorado University are 16% lower than at The University of Montana ($10,760 vs. $12,804).
• Western Colorado University is 32.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Montana (about $2,766 more per year; $11,318.00 vs. $8,552.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.8% higher at The University of Montana than at Western Colorado University (about $9,237 more per year; $33,671.00 vs. $24,434.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Colorado University than at The University of Montana (93% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Montana students is 16.3% larger than aid received by Western Colorado University students ($9,799 vs. $8,425).

Western Colorado University vs. The University of Montana Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Colorado University or The University of Montana? 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 The University of Montana and Western Colorado University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Colorado University (1260) is 80 points higher than at The University of Montana (1180).
• Incoming Western Colorado University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at The University of Montana).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 1163/1353; The University of Montana 1070/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 22/26; The University of Montana 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Colorado University - Test optional; The University of Montana - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Montana Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Western Colorado University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at The University of Montana (3.36).
• Western Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than The University of Montana (95.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Western Colorado University vs. 19.3% at The University of Montana.

Western Colorado University vs. The University of Montana Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Colorado University and The University of Montana? 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's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Western Colorado University's (39%).
• Graduates from The University of Montana earn a median of about $200 more per year than Western Colorado University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Colorado University graduates have a $1,683 lower median loan debt than The University of Montana graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,183).
• Among borrowers, Western Colorado University graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The University of Montana graduates ($222 vs. $239).
• More Western Colorado University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Montana students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 59%)

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.