Western State Colorado University vs. The University of Montana

Should I go to Western State Colorado University or The University of Montana? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western State Colorado University or The University of Montana is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Western State Colorado University vs. The University of Montana comparison
Western State Colorado University The University of Montana College 3 College 4
Western State Colorado University The University of Montana
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Overview

Western State Colorado University The University of Montana
Location Gunnison, CO Missoula, MT
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 3,548 9,955
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #709 #724
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website western.edu umt.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western State Colorado University The University of Montana
Tuition (In State) $6,936 $5,515
Tuition (Out of State) $18,960 $27,168
Room & Board $10,286 $11,608
Avg Net Price $16,672 $16,361
Avg Grant Aid $9,189 $5,645
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 100%

Admission

Western State Colorado University The University of Montana
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,116 8,943
Admitted 2,862 8,530
Acceptance Rate 91.8% 95.4%
Enrolled % 15.3% 19%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/29 18/26
SAT Range 1010/1270 1070/1280
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 18, 2025

Academics

Western State Colorado University The University of Montana
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

Western State Colorado University The University of Montana
Graduation Rate 39% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $41,000
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $23,183
Median Loan Payment $222 $239

Diversity

Western State Colorado University The University of Montana
% Men 49% 40%
% Women 51% 60%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 75% 79%
% Black 3% 1%
% Hispanic 10% 4%
% Native American 1% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 6% 5%

Students

Western State Colorado University The University of Montana
% In-State 72% 55%
% Out-of-State 27% 44%

Campus

Western State Colorado University The University of Montana
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • The University of Montana is larger than than Western State Colorado University based on total student enrollment (9,955 students vs. 3,548 students)

Western State Colorado University vs. The University of Montana Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western State Colorado University or The University of Montana?

  • Western State Colorado University is 25.8% more expensive to attend than The University of Montana for in-state tuition ($6,936.00 vs. $5,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 43.3% higher at The University of Montana than Western State Colorado University ($27,168.00 vs. $18,960.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Montana than Western State Colorado University ($16,361 vs. $16,672)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western State Colorado University are 12.9% lower than costs at The University of Montana ($10,286 vs. $11,608)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at The University of Montana than Western State Colorado University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western State Colorado University students is 62.8% larger than aid received The University of Montana ($9,189 vs. $5,645)

Western State Colorado University vs. The University of Montana Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western State Colorado University or The University of Montana? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between The University of Montana or Western State Colorado University .

  • The average SAT score at The University of Montana (1090) is 126 points higher than at Western State Colorado University (964)
  • Incoming The University of Montana students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Western State Colorado University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Western State Colorado University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at The University of Montana (3.36)
  • The University of Montana has a higher acceptance rate (95.4%) than Western State Colorado University (91.8%)

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

Which is better, Western State Colorado University or The University of Montana? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between The University of Montana and Western State Colorado University.

  • The graduation rate at The University of Montana is higher than Western State Colorado University (47% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from The University of Montana earn on average $200 more per year than Western State Colorado University graduates after ten years. ($41,000 vs. $40,800)
  • Western State Colorado University students graduate with a $1,683 lower median federal student loan debt than The University of Montana graduates. ($21,500 vs. $23,183)
  • Western State Colorado University graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans than The University of Montana graduates. ($222 vs. $239)
  • More Western State 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/