The University of Montana-Western
#2 Best Education Colleges in Montana- Graduation Rate
- 50% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $43,229 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $16,558 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 100% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 15.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.6 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Education Colleges in Montana.
Every $1 spent returns $15.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $966,280.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $15.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why The University of Montana-Western Matters
The University of Montana-Western is a public college in Dillon, MT and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 1,198
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Education, Humanities, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose The University of Montana-Western
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 100% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $16,558 a year after grants and scholarships — 3% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $43,229 ten years after enrolling — 6% above the typical college, against $21,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.26 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 100%, the University of Montana-Western is an accessible option for students seeking a supportive environment to pursue their education. This school appeals particularly to those interested in fields like Education, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Biology & Biomedical, and Psychology. The smaller enrollment of about 1,200 students fosters a close-knit community, where individuals can engage deeply with their courses and professors.
Looking at life after graduation, students can expect to earn about $43,229 after ten years. This figure gives a solid indication of the potential return on investment for graduates. Affordability is another important aspect to consider, with the average net price after aid sitting at $16,558. While the graduation rate is 50%, it highlights the need for students to be motivated and committed to their studies.
When it comes to finances, graduates leave with a median debt of $21,000, making it important for students to weigh their financial commitments carefully. Those who thrive here are typically those who value a personal approach to education and are looking for a community-oriented college experience. With a diverse range of programs and a supportive atmosphere, the University of Montana-Western can be a good fit for many students aiming for a fulfilling career.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective The University of Montana-Western is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into The University of Montana-Western? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
The University of Montana-Western, located in Dillon, Montana, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 100%. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 100%
- Retention Rate
- 79%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,879
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.35
- First-Gen Students
- 36%
- Applicants
- 1,476
- Admitted
- 536
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend The University of Montana-Western? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at The University of Montana-Western is $20,130, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,558. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,822 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $6,670
- Out-of-State
- $20,130
- Avg Net Price
- $16,558
- Median Debt
- $21,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 35%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 34%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $14,822
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,058
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,951
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,125
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at The University of Montana-Western — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is The University of Montana-Western Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of The University of Montana-Western report median earnings of $43,229, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $37,252
- 8 Years
- $40,640
- 10 Years
- $43,229
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.49x
- Earning > $25K
- 55%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (42)
- 28%
- 100% (42)
- 28%
- 100% (42)
- 28%
- 100% (42)
- 28%
How The Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is The University of Montana-Western Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, The University of Montana-Western delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $16,558/year ($66,232 total). Graduates earn $43,229 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,032,512 in total earnings — a net gain of $966,280 (15.6× your investment). The median debt is $21,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 50% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $66,232
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,032,512
- Net Return
- $966,280
- ROI Multiple
- 15.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $16,558
- Median Debt
- $21,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,684,083
- Investment Income
- $37,044
Top Programs
The fields The University of Montana-Western awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Education 46% $43,294 early-career
- Humanities 10%
- Business & Marketing 9% $46,350 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
- Psychology 2%
- English & Literature 2%
- Visual & Performing Arts 1%
- Social Sciences 1%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for The University of Montana-Western's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into The University of Montana-Western? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
The University of Montana-Western, located in Dillon, Montana, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 100%. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend The University of Montana-Western? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at The University of Montana-Western is $20,130, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,558. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,822 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,000 in federal student loans.
Is The University of Montana-Western Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of The University of Montana-Western report median earnings of $43,229, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is The University of Montana-Western? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at The University of Montana-Western. Its economic connectedness score is 1.26, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.06), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to The University of Montana-Western.
- University of Maine at FarmingtonFarmington, ME · Close peer52% grad $44,433 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Western Colorado UniversityGunnison, CO · Close peer51% grad $46,833 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Northern State UniversityAberdeen, SD · Close peer51% grad $47,618 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- West Liberty UniversityWest Liberty, WV · Close peer60% grad $43,296 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Shorter UniversityRome, GA · Close peer37% grad $44,604 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Delta State UniversityCleveland, MS · Close peer47% grad $41,991 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is The University of Montana-Western? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at The University of Montana-Western. Its economic connectedness score is 1.26, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.06), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note