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The University of Montana
Admission at The University of Montana is close to open (95.9%), which shifts the homework to outcomes: check the $44,511 median earnings below before the application.
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The University of Montana sits in Missoula proper — a public campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it.
Its highest-earning path is Computer and Information Sciences, General, where graduates median $91,943 four years out. 28% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 7,488 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 74.8% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 23 and 28 on the ACT composite. Put your own practice estimate on The University of Montana's range with the ACT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, The University of Montana received 9,464 applications and admitted 9,048 (95.6%), with 1,652 enrolling.
The University of Montana is test-optional — scores count when submitted, none required. The University of Montana's submitters' middle half scored 23–28 on the ACT; read that as the stronger-tester end of the admitted class.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Composite | 23 | 24 | 28 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How The University of Montana compares
| The University of Montana | Montana median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 95.9% | 82.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $8,552 | $8,506 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $44,511 | $49,036 | $53,781 |
At $44,511, ten-year earnings trail the state median ($49,036). Look at The University of Montana's major-level rows below before reading too much into the campus-wide number.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $8,552 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $33,671. For non-residents, The University of Montana's $33,671 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 7,488 undergrads, The University of Montana is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
48% graduate within six years. Roughly 52% don't — ask a The University of Montana tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at The University of Montana
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $91,943 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $73,149 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $61,408 |
| Forestry | $60,526 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $57,892 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $54,300 |
| Sociology | $51,708 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $51,540 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | $51,426 |
| Political Science and Government | $47,341 |
| Social Work | $46,459 |
| History | $46,408 |
| Journalism | $46,267 |
| Psychology, General | $46,192 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $43,929 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $43,813 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $43,347 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $43,286 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $41,634 |
| Anthropology | $40,550 |
| Biology, General | $37,771 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $36,169 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $29,606 |
Median earnings for these 23 The University of Montana programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $44,511 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 47 additional The University of Montana programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for The University of Montana?
The middle 50% of The University of Montana's submitters earned ACT composites of 23–28; no GPA cutoff is published.
What is The University of Montana's acceptance rate?
95.6% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 9,048 admitted from 9,464 applicants.
How much does The University of Montana cost?
In-state tuition is $8,552; out-of-state students pay $33,671. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do The University of Montana graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $44,511 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Montana
- Montana Technological University — 91% admitted
- The University of Montana-Western — 99.8% admitted
- Montana State University — 82.1% admitted
- Rocky Mountain College — 69.6% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.