The University of Montana (UMW), Western : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About The University of Montana
Montana Western is known for a block-style schedule where you take a single course at a time, letting labs, fieldwork, and studio work run deep. The university has a reputation for strong teaching in the sciences, education, business, the arts, and outdoor-oriented fields. Students lean on a well-used library, advising and tutoring, tech-equipped classrooms, residence halls and dining, a busy fitness center, and folks in student services who actually pick up the phone.
Life here is active and unpretentious. Clubs, performances, and volunteer projects mix with trail runs, river days, and coffee-fueled study sessions downtown. The culture is tight-knit and hands-on, with faculty mentoring, internships across the region, and projects that plug into local schools, nonprofits, and land-focused employers. Career services help connect the dots. And the block plan becomes a shared tradition that shapes how students learn and live.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
The University of Montana (UMW), Western offers 30 degree programs across 14 major academic fields, graduating approximately 441 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Education (14 programs, 236 graduates), Business (1 programs, 43 graduates), Interdisciplinary (2 programs, 27 graduates), Liberal Arts (1 programs, 24 graduates) and Agriculture (1 programs, 23 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Education (14 programs, 236 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education | 66 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
13.1210 |
| General Education | 55 |
|
Associate's
|
13.0101 |
| Elementary Education | 53 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1202 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
13.1314 |
| Special Education Teaching | 11 |
|
Other Award
|
13.1001 |
| Secondary Education and Teaching | 9 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
13.1205 |
| Business and Innovation Entrepreneurship Teacher Education | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
13.1303 |
| English Language Arts Teacher Education | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1305 |
| Social Science Teacher Education | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1317 |
| History Teacher Education | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1328 |
| Art Education | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1302 |
| Music Teacher Education | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1312 |
| Mathematics Teacher Education | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1311 |
| Science Teacher Education | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1316 |
Business (1 programs, 43 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 43 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
52.0201 |
Interdisciplinary (2 programs, 27 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi- and Interdisciplinary Studies | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.9999 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.1701 |
Liberal Arts (1 programs, 24 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies | 24 |
|
Associate's
|
24.0102 |
Agriculture (1 programs, 23 graduates)
Agricultural Sciences, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equine Studies | 23 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
01.0507 |
Biological Sciences (2 programs, 19 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecology | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1301 |
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
Military Tech (1 programs, 19 graduates)
Defense Technologies and Advanced Military Systems
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Military Applied Sciences | 19 |
|
Other Award
|
29.0399 |
Kinesiology (1 programs, 14 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0505 |
Natural Resources (2 programs, 13 graduates)
Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
03.0104 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
03.0199 |
Psychology (1 programs, 8 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at The University of Montana (UMW), Western.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about The University of Montana (UMW), Western
How much does it cost to attend The University of Montana (UMW), Western?
The annual tuition at The University of Montana (UMW), Western is $6,431 for in-state students and $19,039 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $21,713 for in-state students and $34,321 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $9,104 and books and supplies $1,200.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does The University of Montana, Western offer?
The University of Montana (UMW), Western offers 30 academic programs across 14 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (14 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (1 programs)
- Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs (2 programs)
- Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (1 programs)
- Agricultural Sciences, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine (1 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for The University of Montana, Western?
The University of Montana (UMW), Western has an 99.5% acceptance rate and a 38% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 793
- Students admitted: 789
- Students enrolled: 300
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at The University of Montana, Western?
The University of Montana (UMW), Western provides financial aid to 18% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $8,091 and average loans of $14,879.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $2,495
- State/Local grants: $4,487
- Institutional grants: $4,873
- Federal loans: $15,646
The university supports 162 students with grants and 108 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for The University of Montana, Western graduates?
The University of Montana (UMW), Western graduates earn a median salary of $37,252 after 6 years and $43,229 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $27,972 (25th percentile) to $61,326 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $63,800 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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