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#3 Best Public Universities in Montana

The University of Montana Admission Requirements

Missoula, Montana

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Your chances of getting into The University of Montana

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

95.4%
Admission Difficulty for The University of Montana
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Average 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at The University of Montana is 95.4%.  Its admission rate is the 7th lowest in Montana.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into The University of Montana and can you get accepted?

The University of Montana is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 8,530 out of the 8,943 who applied were admitted.

The University of Montana typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.36. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 19% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into The University of Montana?

95% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to The University of Montana you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.36 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1180 on the SAT
  • Score 22 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

The University of Montana GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.36

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into The University of Montana?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into The University of Montana are to have around a 3.36 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.36 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as The University of Montana accepts 95% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at The University of Montana is 3.36 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #5 in Montana for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since The University of Montana is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted The University of Montana students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 8.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 21.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 20.0% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 15.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 14.0% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 13.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 6.0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 1.0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

The University of Montana SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to The University of Montana. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 1% of students submitted SAT scores and 1% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1070-1280

Applicants Submitting SAT 

1%
SAT Scores for The University of Montana
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 540
Math 25th Percentile 530
Composite 25th Percentile 1070
SAT Scores for The University of Montana
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 660
Math 75th Percentile 620
Composite 75th Percentile 1280
Average SAT Score 1180

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to The University of Montana?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at The University of Montana is 1180 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1070-1280. Students who get into The University of Montana score in the top 47 percent of all SAT test takers..  The University of Montana ranks #3 in the state of Montana for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1180 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. The University of Montana regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1070 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1070, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 960, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

The University of Montana is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1180 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1175, you have around a 95% chance of being admitted. A 1280 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 97% chance of getting in.

The University of Montana admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1280 and Above Good >97%
1175 to 1280 Avg + 95%-97%
1070 to 1175 Avg - 91%-95%
965 to 1070 Reach 84%-91%
Less than 965 Low <84%
Calculate My Chances 

The University of Montana ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

18-26 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

1%
ACT Scores for The University of Montana
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 17
Math 25th Percentile 17
Composite 25th Percentile 18
ACT Scores for The University of Montana
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 25
Math 75th Percentile 25
Composite 75th Percentile 26
Average ACT Score 22

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into The University of Montana?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to The University of Montana is 22, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 18 and 26.  The school ranks #3 in Montana for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 22. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 18 and score in the score in the top 62 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 14.

1 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to The University of Montana.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as The University of Montana is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into The University of Montana for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 22 score has around 95% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 97% with a 26 ACT score.

The University of Montana admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
26 and Above Good >97%
22 to 26 Avg + 95%-97%
18 to 22 Avg - 91%-95%
14 to 18 Reach 84%-91%
Less than 14 Low <84%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

69% of The University of Montana freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 38% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted The University of Montana students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 17%
Top 25% of class 38%
Top 50% of class 69%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

The University of Montana admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 5,165 3,768 8,943
Accepted 4,979 3,544 8,530
Acceptance Rate 96% 94% 95%
Enrolled 942 678 1,621
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 19% 19% 19%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 18, 2025

Days left to Apply

236

Applicants have 236 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Aug 18, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to The University of Montana is $30.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to The University of Montana and what student information is used for admission decisions?

The University of Montana Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at The University of Montana
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because The University of Montana is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.36 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1180 and ACT of 22 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to The University of Montana often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=180489 IPEDS survey data for The University of Montana.

Last updated February 24, 2024