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The University of Montana-Western

Western Montana College; Montana Western; UM Western; WMC; UMW

Dillon, Montana 59725-3598

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitCollege town

Close-knit campus — excellent value

The University of Montana-Western is a public town institution in Dillon, Montana. The school is accessible to a wide range of students.

A small campus of 1.3K undergraduates with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

49% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $43,229 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $16,669.

Established
1893
Mascot
Baxter the Bulldog
Type
Public college
Conference
National Association of

Plan Your Visit

100%Acceptance
SAT Avg
1,271Students
15:1Student:Faculty
49%Grad Rate
$43,229Earnings 10yr
$16,669Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate99.5%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$6,430
Tuition (out-of-state)$19,038
Room & Board$9,104
Books & Supplies$1,200
Total Cost of Attendance$19,414
Average Net Price$16,669
Median Debt at Graduation$21,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$223

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$15,093
$30–48K$15,286
$48–75K$16,516
$75–110K$18,511
$110K+$18,898

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

68.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.3%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

9

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

3

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (34)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

79%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
1,271
Gender Split
65% / 35%
Women / Men
First Generation
36%
Pell Grant Recipients
35%

Race & Ethnicity

White 81%
Black 1%
Hispanic 4%
Asian 1%
Two+ 5%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate49.5%
Freshman Retention79.2%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$37,252
10 Years$43,229

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History Montana Western campus The college was founded as the Montana State Normal School in 1893 to train teachers according to a model used by other states.
  • Academics at the college expanded with increased programs and had a four-year curriculum; the addition of other subjects and departments led to its being renamed as Western Montana College.
  • It became part of the Montana University System in 2000 and its name was changed to University of Montana Western.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

95Average

Estimated from MT state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

Salt Lake Citypop. 200K
310 mi(537 min)
Portlandpop. 650K
488 mi(846 min)
Seattlepop. 740K
490 mi(849 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

BOI Boise210 mi
SLC Salt Lake City307 mi
PDX Portland OR483 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2060 mi · ~59h 31m drive
New York, NY1959 mi · ~56h 36m drive
Hartford, CT1997 mi · ~57h 41m drive
Providence, RI2056 mi · ~59h 24m drive
Albany, NY1924 mi · ~55h 35m drive
Syracuse, NY1800 mi · ~52h drive
Rochester, NY1728 mi · ~49h 55m drive
Buffalo, NY1672 mi · ~48h 18m drive
Philadelphia, PA1923 mi · ~55h 33m drive
Pittsburgh, PA1675 mi · ~48h 23m drive
Harrisburg, PA1830 mi · ~52h 52m drive
Newark, NJ1950 mi · ~56h 20m drive
Washington, DC1861 mi · ~53h 46m drive
Baltimore, MD1871 mi · ~54h 3m drive
Atlanta, GA1690 mi · ~48h 49m drive
Charlotte, NC1799 mi · ~51h 58m drive
Raleigh, NC1885 mi · ~54h 27m drive
Miami, FL2242 mi · ~64h 46m drive
Orlando, FL2056 mi · ~59h 24m drive
Tampa, FL2036 mi · ~58h 49m drive
Nashville, TN1483 mi · ~42h 51m drive
New Orleans, LA1614 mi · ~46h 38m drive
Richmond, VA1884 mi · ~54h 26m drive
Chicago, IL1268 mi · ~36h 38m drive
Detroit, MI1481 mi · ~42h 47m drive
Minneapolis, MN943 mi · ~27h 15m drive
St. Louis, MO1235 mi · ~35h 41m drive
Kansas City, MO1014 mi · ~29h 18m drive
Indianapolis, IN1394 mi · ~40h 16m drive
Columbus, OH1541 mi · ~44h 31m drive
Cleveland, OH1566 mi · ~45h 14m drive
Milwaukee, WI1231 mi · ~35h 34m drive
Dallas, TX1205 mi · ~34h 49m drive
Houston, TX1421 mi · ~41h 3m drive
Austin, TX1310 mi · ~37h 51m drive
San Antonio, TX1335 mi · ~38h 34m drive
Los Angeles, CA826 mi · ~23h 52m drive
San Francisco, CA720 mi · ~20h 48m drive
San Diego, CA896 mi · ~25h 53m drive
Seattle, WA490 mi · ~14h 9m drive
Portland, OR488 mi · ~14h 6m drive
Denver, CO542 mi · ~15h 39m drive
Phoenix, AZ813 mi · ~23h 29m drive
Salt Lake City, UT310 mi · ~8h 57m drive
Honolulu, HI3035 mi · ~87h 41m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

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