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Rocky Mountain College vs The University of Montana-Western

Rocky Mountain College is a private college in Billings, MT. The University of Montana-Western is a public university in Dillon, MT. Rocky Mountain College admits about 70% of applicants and The University of Montana-Western about 100%, making Rocky Mountain College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $16,558 a year at The University of Montana-Western after aid, and about $19,751 at Rocky Mountain College. About 50% of students graduate at The University of Montana-Western, compared with 48% at Rocky Mountain College. Ten years after enrolling, Rocky Mountain College alumni earn a median of about $49,036, against $43,229 for The University of Montana-Western.

Rocky Mountain College

Billings, MT · Private

The University of Montana-Western

Dillon, MT · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Billings, MT
Dillon, MT
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
840
1,198
Acceptance rate
70%
100%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.37–3.87
3.13–3.63
SAT (middle 50%)
893–1133
890–1120
ACT (middle 50%)
18–24
16–21
Test policy
Considered
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$19,751
$16,558
Full cost / yr
$46,093
$21,403
In-state tuition
$35,582
$6,670
Out-of-state tuition
$35,582
$20,130
Application fee
$35
$30
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$15,404
$14,822
$30k - $48k
$13,781
$14,058
$48k - $75k
$14,957
$15,951
$75k - $110k
$19,892
$17,785
Over $110k
$25,150
$20,125
Outcomes
Graduation rate
48%
50%
Freshman retention
69%
79%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$41,783
$37,252
Median earnings (10 yr)
$49,036
$43,229
Median debt at graduation
$26,000
$21,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
31%
35%
First-generation students
32%
36%
International students
6%
0%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Rocky Mountain College or The University of Montana-Western harder to get into?
Rocky Mountain College is harder to get into. It admits about 70% of applicants, compared with 100% at The University of Montana-Western. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Rocky Mountain College or The University of Montana-Western?
The University of Montana-Western is cheaper on average. Students pay about $16,558 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $19,751 at Rocky Mountain College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Rocky Mountain College and The University of Montana-Western?
Before aid, The University of Montana-Western costs about $21,403 a year and Rocky Mountain College about $46,093. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Rocky Mountain College or The University of Montana-Western?
The University of Montana-Western. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $14,822 there, against about $15,404 at Rocky Mountain College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Rocky Mountain College or The University of Montana-Western?
The University of Montana-Western is the larger of the two, with about 1,198 undergraduates against 840 at Rocky Mountain College.
Does Rocky Mountain College or The University of Montana-Western have a better graduation rate?
The University of Montana-Western has the higher graduation rate, at about 50% against 48% at Rocky Mountain College.
Do graduates of Rocky Mountain College or The University of Montana-Western earn more?
Rocky Mountain College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $49,036 ten years after enrolling, against about $43,229 for The University of Montana-Western. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Rocky Mountain College and The University of Montana-Western require SAT or ACT scores?
Rocky Mountain College considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. The University of Montana-Western is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
What SAT scores do Rocky Mountain College and The University of Montana-Western look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 893–1133 at Rocky Mountain College and 890–1120 at The University of Montana-Western. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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