Cost & ROI · 2026
Is The University of Montana-Western worth it?
Pay $16,558/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $43,229 ten years out — about 2.6× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: C.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
The University of Montana-Western vs Montana avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Montana college and the typical US college.
| Metric | The University of Montana-Western | Montana avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $16,558 | $12,561 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $43,229 | $38,908 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $21,000 | $17,916 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 51.3% | 39.1% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 99.8% | 80% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $85,612 over four years. Most students get $4,845/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $21,000 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 49% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median The University of Montana-Western grad earns about -$70,840 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about The University of Montana-Western
The average student at The University of Montana-Western pays $16,558 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $21,403 published sticker price. That is above the MT average net price of $12,561.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $43,229 — above the MT median of $38,908. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $21,000, roughly $228 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a moderate load at about 49% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Montana colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of The University of Montana-Western.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at The University of Montana-Western?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $16,558 per year. That's $4,845/yr in financial aid against the $21,403 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $66,232.
How much do The University of Montana-Western graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, The University of Montana-Western graduates earn a median of $43,229 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 2.6× the annual net cost.
How much debt do The University of Montana-Western graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $21,000 — about $228/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 34.4% of students take federal loans.
Is The University of Montana-Western worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns The University of Montana-Western a value grade of C — top 61% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $16,558/yr, earn $43,229/yr ten years out, ROI score of 6.53. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at The University of Montana-Western?
35.2% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 34.4% take federal student loans. On average, students get $4,845 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at The University of Montana-Western?
In-state tuition is $6,670 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $20,130 per year — a difference of $13,460/yr or $53,840 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at The University of Montana-Western?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $14,822. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $20,125. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →