About The University of Montana-Western

Founded in 1893, The University of Montana-Western. is a Public college. Located in Montana, which is a city setting in Montana, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 1,505 full time undergraduate students, and 0 full time graduate students.

The The University of Montana-Western Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 19:1. There are 63 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at The University of Montana-Western include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate100%
Application Deadline
Application Fee30
SAT Range
ACT Range

Admissions at UMW are considered , with ,6% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

45% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 16% were in the top quarter, and 5% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at The University of Montana-Western.

0%
“We”re apathetic”
43%
“We know about current events and vote”
57%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
14%
“We save it for the classroom”
29%
“Sometimes, but not often”
57%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
0%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
0%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
100%
“I feel extremely safe”
14%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
43%
“We bought the gear”
43%
“We live for the big game”
14%
“It”s not really our thing”
43%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
43%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
0%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
29%
“They keep regular office hours”
71%
“They”re always available”
57%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
29%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
14%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
29%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
43%
“We only party on weekends”
29%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
0%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
100%
“There might be people who do”
0%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
43%
“We know about current events and vote”
57%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
14%
“We save it for the classroom”
29%
“Sometimes, but not often”
57%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
0%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
0%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
100%
“I feel extremely safe”
14%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
43%
“We bought the gear”
43%
“We live for the big game”
14%
“It”s not really our thing”
43%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
43%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
0%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
29%
“They keep regular office hours”
71%
“They”re always available”
57%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
29%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
14%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
29%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
43%
“We only party on weekends”
29%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
0%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
100%
“There might be people who do”
0%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

The University of Montana-Western REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    18 Students rated on-campus housing 3.6 stars. 11 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    14 Students rated off-campus housing 3.4 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    18 Students rated campus food 3.1 stars. 6 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    19 Students rated campus facilities 3.7 stars. 26 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    19 Students rated class size 4.6 stars. 58 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    19 Students rated school activities 3.9 stars. 32 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    19 Students rated local services 3.7 stars. 47 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    19 Students rated academics 4.2 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of The University of Montana-Western?

10 Students rated The University of Montana-Western

Kaitlyn - 03/26/2024

The University of Montana-Western is an amazing school. The class sizes are limited to 25 students allowing the students to get quality learning time and connect with the professors. The block schedule makes it easy to focus on one class at a time and put the most effort into the course. Lastly, the professors are very outgoing, helpful, and knowledgeable. I enjoy getting to know my professors and allowing them to help me make the most out of my education.

Wynter Celeste - 02/28/2021

I fell in love with Western when I was in high school after visiting the campus. I attended Western for my freshmen year of college. The block schedule gives students the opportunity to really focus on what they are learning, one class at a time. The housing on campus is well cared for. The food is amazing on campus, but Dillon, home of Western, offers great food options as well. Professors are easily accessible and readily available as many professors have consistent office hours scheduled. I also found that many of my proffesors were just an email away. I highly reccommed The University of Montana- Western. I left Western due to family reasons.

Leah - 10/15/2020

Montana Western runs on the Block Schedule. We are the only public university that does. The block system is where you work on one class at a time; 3.5 hours a day Monday through Friday, for 3.5 weeks. You take your final at the end of your block before moving on to the next one. This is a great system because you are allowed to just focus on that one class and don't have to worry if you missed a due date for another class. It makes prioritizing a lot easier and if your class wants to take a trip to further understand a portion of the class you can go without worrying about falling behind in other classes. Since the classes run for a shorter consecutive time the material goes faster than in a normal school setting. That's where the challenge comes, so if you can't function without challenge, it is here too. I think UMW does a great job of narrowing degrees as well. For example, I am actually a Preschool Through Third Grade Education Major. It fits my criteria better than working toward an Elementary Education Major or just staying with Early Childhood Education. I found a happy medium. I love the surrounding area as well, Dillon is a smaller town - without a Walmart - everyone here seems to be really friendly. I love the fact I can walk down the hall and start a small conversation with almost anyone. I feel at home here because of it. It is my freshman year (happens to be 2020, during the COVID era) and there are always people willing to help me, and they are still finding ways for us to stay safe but also staying active with campus activities.

Madison - 03/20/2019

The University of Montana Western's block scheduling sets it apart from other universities. Each class lasts three and a half weeks (18 class meetings - 3 hours long), and then students get a three day weekend before moving on to the next class. This schedule keeps students on track, as well as enables them to delve deep into each subject without the distractions of other classes. Additionally, Montana Western is located in Dillon, MT, a small town in southwestern Montana: the perfect location for those who enjoy quick access to the outdoors. The education at Montana Western is second to none as professors truly care about their students, and the small class sizes allow students to get to know each other. Nothing beats walking around a campus and seeing friendly, familiar faces.

The University of Montana-Western FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at The University of Montana-Western?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for The University of Montana-Western is 100%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    If I could go back to High School I would tell my self to stay focused and fill out more scholarships as a senior. Also I play basketball for Western and I wished I would have worked on my game a lot more, so I could be a lot more confident in the sport I am playing. Staying organized would be another thing I wish I was able to do. Staying organized is a big thing in college, because there is a way to procrastinate and then fall behind. College proffesors really dont care if you show up to class, but being responisble and organized is the right thing to do in order to maintain a high GPA.

    Read all  21 answers

  3. What's unique about your campus?

    The block system and the smaller classroom size, more individualized attention for each student

    Read all  7 answers

  4. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates are nice, but not very motivated or ambitious.

    Read all  5 answers

  5. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish I had known how busy I was going to be. Because of our unique class schedules most students have part or full time jobs as well as going to school full time.

    Read all  5 answers

  6. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    It is an open and friendly place with plenty of clubs and activities to help you network, but has a need to expand the majors offered in order to appeal to more students.

    Read all  4 answers

  7. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Well it's community college and therefore considerably cheaper than a traditional 4 year college. I plan to take all my basics that each major requires and then transfer on to a university, but in the mean time I've saved quite a bit of money.

    Read all  4 answers

  8. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The students are not very professional or ambitious, therefore activities such as drinking and partying are popular and disruptive to the learning environment.

    Read all  4 answers

  9. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Those who aren't ready for college yet, ie the people just out of high school; if you're not serious about it, dont come

    Read all  3 answers

  10. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    I love to tell people about my school because of the block schedualing they have but also because of the programs and the location. I am a country girl and i feel Dillon is the perfect place for me. It is a small town with lots of out door opertunities. Dillon is one of the best places for hunting and they have a great river for fishing. They also have a great equine science program at the school. Along with all the outdoors things they have a wonderfull art program, which all my friends know i love art.

    Read all  3 answers

  11. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    Just like at any school, dealing with the business servives, financial aid office and the registrar can be difficult. They lose things that get sent in the mail, but it's not a huge, overwhelming problem that students face.

    Read all  3 answers

  12. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    This school is best known for The Block schedule that is called Experience one. It is called that because you are only taking one class at a time. It is also known for being really involved with all the students. Most people say that Dillon is boring, the campus tries to get all the students involved on some sort of level.

    Read all  2 answers

  13. What kind of person should attend this school?

    The kind of person that should attend this school is the type that really doesnt like school. The reason for this is becasue Western runs off the block schedule called experience one. You take one class for 3 hours a day, 18 days straight. That is called block one and you receive four credits for that block. in a semester you have four block which adds up to 16 credits in just one semester. This schedule allows you to only have to worry about one class at a time.

    Read all  2 answers

Student Body

Students

61%

female

39%

male

1,505

Total Undergrad Enrollment

N/A

Total Grad Students

32%

Out-Of-State

68%

In-State

N/A

International

Organizations

35

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

30%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
3%
% Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
% Black or African-American
1%
% Hispanic/Latino
4%
% White or Caucasian
86%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

88% of students attending The University of Montana-Western receive some sort of financial aid. 44% were awarded federal grants. While 58% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$16,497

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$850

Books and Supplies

$6,940

Room and Board

24,287

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$9,842
$30 - $48K
$6,103
$48 - $75K
$7,858
$75 - $110K
$10,729
$110K & UP
$11,247

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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