Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks The University of Montana-Western #1212 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $44,338, placing The University of Montana-Western in the 2.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The University of Montana-Western sits in the 32.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- The University of Montana-Western's composite ranking reflects strong outcomes across access, mobility, and affordability working together. Graduates earn about $6,114 less than similar students at comparable institutions, supported by median earnings four years after enrollment of $44,338.
The University of Montana-Western is a public baccalaureate college in Dillon, Montana, serving roughly 1,198 undergraduates. Azimuth ranks The University of Montana-Western #1212 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution maintains a 78.6% freshman retention rate and a 51.2% six-year graduation rate, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional public college. The University of Montana-Western draws a student population with substantial financial need: 35.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 36.0% are first-generation college students. The institution's strength lies in return on investment and affordability. Azimuth ranks The University of Montana-Western #1284 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $44,338, and University of Montana-Western sits in the 32.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance is particularly notable given the institution's focus on Education, a field where long-term career stability and modest but reliable earnings growth characterize outcomes. Access and affordability round out the composite. The University of Montana-Western sits in the 18.3 percentile for access and the 75.2 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting both broad admissions reach and reasonable net pricing for low- and middle-income families. The combination of strong return, accessible entry, and manageable cost positions Montana-Western as a practical choice for students seeking a teaching-focused education with predictable long-term financial outcomes in a rural, tight-knit college community.
The University of Montana-Western's published cost of attendance is $21,403. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $14,822, mid-low-income families pay around $14,058, middle-income families pay about $15,951, mid-high-income families pay approximately $17,785, and higher-income families pay around $20,125. Azimuth ranks The University of Montana-Western #354 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a public regional university, Montana-Western benefits from lower tuition than private institutions, and need-based aid helps narrow the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The variation across income bands reflects the institution's commitment to making attendance accessible across the economic spectrum. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $11,827; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $44,338, median federal debt of $21,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $237 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
The University of Montana-Western is a strong fit for students drawn to education-focused fields who want a public university experience in MT. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $44,338, placing The University of Montana-Western in the 2.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $6,114 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing The University of Montana-Western in the 32.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 35.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 36.0% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place The University of Montana-Western in the 5.2 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure not yet updated to the 4-year horizon. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 99.8% admit rate makes the application process moderately selective, and the program mix favors education-oriented fields over STEM or business. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find meaningful returns relative to MT's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $30,928.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the The University Of Montana-Western hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
The University of Montana-Western's published cost of attendance is $21,403. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $14,822, mid-low-income families pay around $14,058, middle-income families pay about $15,951, mid-high-income families pay approximately $17,785, and higher-income families pay around $20,125.
Azimuth ranks The University of Montana-Western #354 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a public regional university, Montana-Western benefits from lower tuition than private institutions, and need-based aid helps narrow the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay.
The variation across income bands reflects the institution's commitment to making attendance accessible across the economic spectrum. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $11,827; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $44,338, median federal debt of $21,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $237 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of the University of Montana-Western earn median 4-year earnings of $44,338, placing the institution in the 2.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,114 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing The University of Montana-Western in the 32.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks The University of Montana-Western #1284 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects The University of Montana-Western's concentration in education and teacher-preparation fields.
Teacher Education is the largest program with 101 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $41,988. The Business Administration program graduates 33 students with median 4-year earnings of $47,344, and the The Subject-Specific Teacher Education program graduates 27 students earning median 4-year earnings of $46,457.
Natural Resources Conservation and Research and Kinesiology round out the largest degree programs.
Biology, General
10 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
33 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
27 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
101 graduates
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
17 graduates
The University of Montana-Western's program mix is anchored in education and teacher preparation, reflecting the institution's regional mission as a comprehensive public university serving rural Montana. Teacher Education is the largest program with 101 graduates, followed by Business Administration with 33 graduates, Subject-Specific Teacher Education with 27 graduates, Natural Resources Conservation and Research with 17 graduates, and Kinesiology with 16 graduates.
Across 11 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold. The institution's highest-earning programs reflect both workforce demand and regional economic patterns.
Business Administration graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $47,344 with 33 graduates, while Subject-Specific Teacher Education delivers median earnings of $46,457 for 27 graduates. Teacher Education rounds out the strongest earners with median 4-year earnings of $41,988 for 101 graduates.
These outcomes reflect the practical, applied focus of the University of Montana-Western's curriculum and its alignment with Montana's labor market needs. Education represents 50% of degrees awarded, making it the institution's primary focus and anchoring its regional identity as a teacher-preparation hub.
Business accounts for 13% of graduates, while Arts comprises 3%. This concentrated portfolio supports direct entry into Montana's education workforce and related professional fields where regional demand remains steady.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how teacher-preparation and related fields align with regional labor-market conditions.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Northern State University Similar quality tier (#33886 ranked) | SD | 93% | $47,618 | #33886 | Compare |
Longwood University Similar quality tier (#33868 ranked) | VA | 90% | $52,347 | #33868 | Compare |
The Evergreen State College Similar quality tier in West (#34939 ranked) | WA | 96% | $45,320 | #34939 | Compare |
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education Similar quality tier in West (#34942 ranked) | CA | 100% | $39,271 | #34942 | Compare |
The University Of Tennessee Southern Similar quality tier (#33836 ranked) | TN | 87% | $38,924 | #33836 | Compare |
